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A research report from the November 8, 2006 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research shows the benefits of chiropractic care for patients suffering from vertigo. In this study, 60 patients who were diagnosed by their medical physicians as having various forms of vertigo received chiropractic care, and the results were documented and published.

Vertigo is a condition characterized by dizziness with a sensation of spinning. Due to this feeling of movement or rotation, many sufferers also experience nausea, lightheadedness, and balance problems. The diagnosis of vertigo is typically based on the symptoms of the patients, as there are no specific lab tests, and the patients may have various related conditions. In this study, the nervous system was examined as a potential cause.

Of the 60 patients in this study, 56 reported having some form of physical trauma prior to the onset of their vertigo. Among these, 25 had experienced automobile accidents, 16 had suffered sports injuries—including skiing, bicycling, or horseback riding—and 6 had slipped and fallen on ice. It was noted that all of these individuals had trauma to either the head or neck area.

Upon initial examination, vertebral subluxations were found in all 60 patients. Consistent measurements of subluxation findings and progress of correction were conducted using paraspinal digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiography.

Specific chiropractic care aimed at correcting subluxations was provided to all 60 subjects. Results showed that all patients responded positively to chiropractic care, with response times varying between one and six months. Of the original 60 patients, 48 were completely symptom-free within six months, while the remaining 12 patients showed improvements in either the severity or frequency of vertigo episodes.

In the conclusion, the author of the study noted, “A causal link between trauma-induced upper cervical (neck) injury and the onset of vertigo appears to exist. Correcting the injury to the upper cervical spine through the use of IUCCA protocol (a form of chiropractic care) appears to improve and/or reverse vertigo disorders.”