Vertigo & Dizziness Relief — Burnaby BC
Vertigo That Comes Back? Your Upper Neck May Be the Overlooked Cause.
Many vertigo and dizziness cases have a cervical origin that goes undetected when only the inner ear is investigated. At Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby, we assess the upper cervical spine's role in your vertigo — and correct it with the Gonstead method's precise upper cervical adjustments.
C1–C2
Upper cervical vertebrae most associated with cervicogenic dizziness and vertigo
Often Missed
Cervical vertigo is commonly overlooked when only the ear is investigated
No Drugs
Address the structural cause — not just suppress the symptoms
The Neck-Vertigo Connection
How Upper Cervical Misalignment Causes Dizziness and Vertigo
The upper cervical spine — particularly the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) — contains the highest density of proprioceptive nerve endings in the entire body. These receptors send continuous positional signals to the brain that are integrated with input from the inner ear and eyes to produce your sense of balance. When C1 or C2 is misaligned, these proprioceptive signals become distorted — creating conflicting information in the brain's balance centre that manifests as dizziness, spinning sensations, or a feeling of unsteadiness.
Cervicogenic dizziness is most often seen following whiplash injuries, concussions, or periods of prolonged poor posture that create progressive upper cervical misalignment. Patients typically notice that their dizziness worsens with head or neck movement, is accompanied by neck stiffness or pain, or developed after an accident or fall. These are all signals pointing to the cervical spine rather than the inner ear as the primary driver.
Because cervical vertigo is less well-known among GPs and ENT specialists, many patients with this condition spend months or years bouncing between specialists without improvement. Specific upper cervical Gonstead care often produces rapid, meaningful improvement where other treatments have not.
Spinning or swaying sensation triggered or worsened by head movement
Unsteadiness or balance problems — feeling "off" even when standing still
Dizziness that accompanies neck pain or stiffness
Vertigo that developed after a whiplash injury or head trauma
Nausea or visual disturbance during dizzy episodes
The Gonstead Approach to Vertigo
Precise Upper Cervical Assessment and Correction
Cervicogenic vertigo requires extreme precision. The atlas sits at the junction of the brainstem and spinal cord — adjustments at this level must be specific, gentle, and based on thorough radiographic analysis. The Gonstead system's emphasis on precise X-ray measurement, thermal scanning of the upper cervical region, and specific low-force atlas adjustments makes it one of the most appropriate chiropractic methods for cervical vertigo.
Upper Cervical X-Ray Analysis
We take precise upper cervical X-rays to measure atlas position relative to the occiput and axis — providing the exact directional information needed for a safe and specific atlas correction.
Specific Atlas Correction
Gonstead atlas adjustments are among the most precise in chiropractic — low-force, directionally specific, and guided by X-ray measurement. We do not generically "crack" the upper neck. Every atlas adjustment is a precisely calculated correction.
Proprioceptive Retraining
As the upper cervical misalignment is corrected, the proprioceptive signals from C1/C2 normalize — resolving the conflicting balance information that was producing your vertigo. We track your balance and symptom changes throughout care.
Common Questions
Vertigo & Dizziness FAQs
How do I know if my vertigo is cervical or from the inner ear?
Key indicators of cervical vertigo include: dizziness that is triggered or worsened by neck movement (rather than head position change alone), dizziness that coincides with neck pain or stiffness, and vertigo that developed following a whiplash injury or concussion. Inner-ear vertigo (such as BPPV) is typically triggered by specific head positions and responds to Epley maneuvers. Our initial assessment includes tests to differentiate between cervical and inner-ear origins.
Is it safe to have the upper neck adjusted when I have vertigo?
Yes — when performed by a trained chiropractor using the Gonstead system's specific, low-force techniques. We conduct a thorough upper cervical assessment including X-rays before making any adjustment. Our atlas corrections are gentle and directionally specific — not high-velocity, generalized neck manipulation.
I've seen my GP and an ENT for vertigo without resolution — is chiropractic worth trying?
Absolutely. Cervicogenic vertigo is frequently missed in conventional medical workups because it requires a cervical assessment that ENT specialists and neurologists typically don't perform. If your vertigo has not responded to inner-ear treatments, Epley maneuvers, or vestibular rehabilitation, a cervical origin is highly worth investigating. We regularly see patients from Burnaby who have been through extensive medical investigation without resolution.
Related Conditions
Vertigo That Hasn't Resolved? Your Neck Deserves Attention.
Book your initial exam at Adapt Spine Centre in Burnaby. We'll assess your upper cervical spine as a potential source of your vertigo — and give you a clear, honest answer about whether Gonstead care can help.
Located at 3961 Hastings Street #101, Burnaby BC · Open Mon–Sat · No referral required