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ARE YOU DIZZY?
Dr. Scott Fuller, D.C., C.C.S.T.
Thousands of Americans suffer from dizziness everyday. Many of them
simply learn to live with it because conventional medical treatment has failed to address
the causes of their plight. The scientific term for dizziness is VERTIGO. There are many
causes of vertigo ranging from tumors in the cerebellum to inner ear infections. In fact,
these are the syndromes most commonly evaluated for by the medical physician. Fortunately,
tumor or infection does not cause most clinical vertigo. This is why it is so difficult to
treat vertigo medically.
Benign positional vertigo is a syndrome characterized by episodes of
dizziness that seem to worsen upon changes of position. Simply turning your head, rising
from a seated position, or lying in bed can incite an episode of vertigo. Exactly how does
the body balance itself under normal circumstances?
Throughout every moment of our lives information is carried to our brain by small nerves.
These nerves are attached to small sensors, called receptors. There are many types of
receptors which carry a variety of signals to different areas of the brain. Some of these
include photoreceptors (sight), auditory receptors (sound), taste receptors, vestibular
receptors of the inner ear (balance), and mechanoreceptors from joints, ligaments,
muscles, and tendons (body orientation). It is the function of these receptors to
stimulate the brain allowing us to appreciate and adapt to our environment. Needless to
say, there is an enormous amount of nerve circuits in the body acting in concert to allow
the body to function as a dynamic self healing entity.
When a person is dizzy, there is one nerve circuit that we know is not functioning
correctly. This circuit is called the vestibulospinal circuit. Within the brainstem, there
is collection of small nerves called the Vestibular Nuclei. When properly stimulated,
these nuclei signal other nerves in the spinal cord that control the action of our
postural muscles. When the muscles of posture fire properly, the body remains balanced. It
is therefore imperative that the vestibular nuclei function properly.
There are three sources of receptor input to the vestibular nuclei that allow it to
function properly. The first is from the eyes. Have you ever closed your eyes in the
shower and felt dizzy? This is because you stopped the visual input to the vestibular
nuclei that helps control balance. The second is from the inner ear. The inner ear
contains an apparatus comprised of three fluid filled semicircular canals called the
Labyrinth. The nerves in these canals inform the vestibular nuclei about the orientation
of the head. When you ride on a rollercoaster, the fluids in your ears move rapidly
stimulating the nerves of the inner ear. This will eventually overexcite the vestibular
nuclei and cause dizziness. Luckily, a few hours of sitting still will stop the vertigo.
The third major input to the vestibular nuclei is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is a
large collection of nerves in the base of the brain. These nerves control coordination of
movement and balance through its connection to the vestibular nuclei. Ballerinas and
gymnasts usually have a well-developed cerebellum. The cerebellum receives a major part of
its input (and health) from the mechanoreceptors of the cervical spine (neck). These
mechanoreceptors are in the discs, ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the spine. They are
stimulated by healthy joint motion. When spinal joints become dysfunctional and stop
moving properly (called vertebral subluxation), the mechanoreceptors diminish their firing
thereby decreasing the firing of the cerebellum. This is not good! If these do not
stimulate the cerebellum, then there will be inappropriate cerebellar input to the
vestibular nuclei leading to VERTIGO!
Good news! Chiropractors have been relieving vertigo for over 100 years. By correcting
vertebral subluxations in the cervical spine and improving joint health and motion, it is
possible to increase the stimulation of the joint mechanoreceptors and muscle spindles
(muscle receptors). This increase in stimulation will subsequently increase the firing and
health of the cerebellum. Because the cerebellum is a major input to the vestibular nuclei
of the brainstem that controls balance, normal functioning of the cerebellum is imperative
to aid in proper equilibrium. This neurological dilemma can easily be overlooked to those
who are not trained to understand it.
If someone you know is suffering from vertigo, let them know I stand eager to help them
regain their life.
I welcome all comments and questions. For more information feel free to contact me at
781-933-3332 or e-mail me at questions@drscottfuller.com.
Created by: Dr. Scott Fuller, D.C., C.C.S.T.
Fuller Chiropractic
576 Main Street
Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 933-3332
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