Vertigo & Dizziness Treatment in Houston, TX
Vertigo is far more than feeling “lightheaded.” It is the disorienting, often frightening sensation that you or everything around you is spinning, tilting, or swaying — when no actual movement is occurring. This can cause nausea, a loss of balance, and a significant reduction in your ability to function safely in daily life. At Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine, Dr. Kenneth Haywood uses a functional neurological approach to identify precisely why your balance system is misfiring — and how to correct it without relying solely on medication.
Book OnlineWhy Does Vertigo Happen? Understanding the Balance System
Your sense of balance and spatial orientation is maintained by a sophisticated three-way communication network between your eyes (visual system), your inner ear (vestibular system), and the proprioceptive sensors in your upper cervical spine (neck joints). When all three systems are sending consistent signals to the brain, you feel stable and grounded. When one of these systems sends “glitchy” or conflicting data, the brain becomes confused — and vertigo is the result.
Common types of vertigo and balance disorders treated by Dr. Haywood at our Houston clinic include:
- Cervicogenic Vertigo: This is one of the most common and most frequently misdiagnosed causes of vertigo. The facet joints and muscles of the upper cervical spine contain dense clusters of proprioceptors — sensory receptors that tell the brain where your head is in space. When these joints are misaligned or restricted due to injury, poor posture, or degeneration, the proprioceptive signals they send become inaccurate. The brain then receives conflicting information from the neck and the vestibular system — creating dizziness, unsteadiness, and even nausea.
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo): Caused by tiny calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear becoming dislodged from their normal position and floating into the semicircular canals. This produces brief but intense episodes of spinning triggered by specific head movements — such as rolling over in bed or looking up.
- Post-Concussion Syndrome: Dizziness resulting from the neurological effects of a head injury — such as those sustained in auto accidents — that alter vestibular and visual processing.
- Vestibular Hypofunction: Reduced function of one or both vestibular organs, leading to chronic imbalance and a sensation of “floating” or unsteadiness with movement.
How Chiropractic Care Treats Vertigo
Dr. Haywood’s approach to vertigo addresses the neurological and structural contributors to your balance dysfunction:
- Upper Cervical Adjustments: Correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine (particularly C1 and C2) restores accurate proprioceptive signaling from the neck and resolves the neurological conflict that drives cervicogenic vertigo.
- Canalith Repositioning (Epley Maneuver): For BPPV, Dr. Haywood uses specific head and body repositioning maneuvers designed to guide the displaced inner ear crystals back to their correct position — often providing immediate relief in one to three sessions.
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises: Specialized therapeutic exercises that retrain the brain’s ability to integrate visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive input accurately — improving balance and reducing chronic dizziness.
- Soft-Tissue Therapy: Releasing tension in the suboccipital muscles and upper cervical region — which frequently contribute to cervicogenic dizziness — through targeted manual therapy.
Stop Living in Fear of Dizziness
Vertigo and chronic dizziness can cause anxiety, falls, and a progressive withdrawal from the activities that make life meaningful. At Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine, we believe that most cases of vertigo have identifiable, treatable causes — and that relief is possible. Call us at (281) 301-7710 to schedule your vertigo evaluation in Houston, TX.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vertigo Treatment
Can a chiropractor really help with vertigo?
Yes — particularly for cervicogenic vertigo and BPPV. Cervicogenic vertigo is directly caused by dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, and chiropractic adjustments that restore proper joint alignment and proprioceptive signaling are often highly effective. For BPPV, canalith repositioning maneuvers (like the Epley) can provide rapid, lasting relief.
What is the Epley maneuver and does it work?
The Epley maneuver is a series of specific head positions designed to move displaced inner ear crystals (otoconia) out of the semicircular canals and back to their correct location. When performed correctly for BPPV, it is highly effective — often resolving symptoms in one to three treatment sessions.
How do I know if my vertigo is coming from my neck?
Cervicogenic vertigo is often associated with neck pain or stiffness, and the dizziness may be triggered or worsened by certain neck movements. It tends to be a chronic, low-grade unsteadiness rather than the brief, intense spinning of BPPV. Dr. Haywood performs a specific clinical examination to distinguish cervicogenic vertigo from vestibular and other causes.
Can vertigo be caused by a car accident?
Yes. The forces involved in an auto collision can displace inner ear crystals (causing BPPV) or damage the proprioceptive sensors in the upper cervical spine (causing cervicogenic vertigo). Post-concussion syndrome — even in the absence of a direct blow to the head — can also produce vestibular symptoms. See our auto injuries page for more information.
Is vertigo dangerous?
Vertigo itself is not life-threatening, but it significantly increases the risk of falls and injury — particularly in older adults. Additionally, vertigo can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition such as a stroke, acoustic neuroma, or Meniere’s disease. Dr. Haywood is trained to screen for these serious causes and will refer you appropriately if warranted.
How many chiropractic visits does it take to resolve vertigo?
BPPV can often be resolved in one to three visits with canalith repositioning. Cervicogenic vertigo typically requires more visits — often 6 to 12 — depending on the degree of spinal dysfunction and how long the condition has been present. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises continue at home between visits to reinforce progress.
Can vertigo come back after treatment?
BPPV has a recurrence rate of approximately 15 to 20 percent annually. Cervicogenic vertigo can recur if the spinal dysfunction that caused it is not fully corrected and maintained. Dr. Haywood will equip you with home exercises and maintenance strategies to minimize the risk of recurrence.