Resolution of Vertigo, Neck Pain and Headaches Following Chiropractic Care

Above is the title of a case study published on January 10, 2019, in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. In this case, a patient who had been involved in a whiplash-type automobile accident and was suffering with dizziness, neck pain, and headaches, was helped by chiropractic.

This study begins by explaining that whiplash injuries fall under the umbrella of traumatic brain injuries. The authors point out that 1.7 million people in the United States currently suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). They also report that 35.4% of U.S. adults over the age of 40 suffer with vestibular dysfunction, of which vertigo can be a result. They explain that people who suffer whiplash often then develop vertigo.

In their description of whiplash, the Mayo Clinic website states, "Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Whiplash most often occurs during a rear-end auto accident, but the injury can also result from a sports accident, physical abuse or other trauma. Common signs and symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness and headaches." Additional symptoms that can occur from whiplash include tingling or numbness in the arms, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, irritability, and depression.

In this case, a 44-year-old woman with the complaints of vertigo, neck pain, and headaches, presented herself to the chiropractor. She had been suffering with these issues for three years which began immediately after being involved in a car accident. It was reported that the woman was stopped at a red light and was hit from behind by another vehicle which totaled her car. Immediately after the accident, the woman felt dizzy and had an elevated blood pressure. Shortly thereafter, she developed vertigo, neck pain, and daily headaches, all of which she had never experienced prior to the accident.

An examination was performed by the chiropractor which included vital signs, a postural analysis, thermographic heat readings, both static and motion spinal palpation, range of motion examinations, and several orthopedic and neurological examination procedures. Prior spinal x-rays taken a year earlier did not reveal any medically diagnosable issues, but assisted in the chiropractic analysis. From the findings, specific forms of chiropractic care were started.

It was noted that when care initially began, the woman was unable to stand up straight with her feet together and eyes closed without immediately losing balance. After 9 chiropractic visits, the woman was able to perform this activity for 93 seconds before losing her balance. As her care continued, the woman continued to improve with all her symptoms including her neck pain and headaches.

The authors of the study summed up the results the woman got from her chiropractic care by saying, "Overall, the patient demonstrated improvements in virtually all aspects of care. The frequency and severity of her symptoms improved to their best status since the initial onset of her complaints. Not only were her symptoms markedly improved, but also her general affect was much more positive and cheery."