601 N Craycroft Rd
Tucson, AZ 85711
Vertigo & Dizziness Chiropractor in Tucson, AZ
Conditions > Vertigo & Dizziness
Vertigo is one of those symptoms that is hard to explain to someone who has never experienced it. The room spins, the ground feels unstable, and something as simple as turning your head or getting out of bed becomes genuinely frightening. If you have been searching for vertigo treatment in Tucson, AZ, Dr. David Heaton at Arizona Chiropractic & Spine Rehabilitation focuses on identifying the exact type and source of your dizziness before recommending any care.
That distinction changes everything about how vertigo is treated. An inner ear problem and a cervical spine problem can feel nearly identical to the patient but require completely different approaches, and treating the wrong one wastes time and gets you no closer to feeling better.
Vertigo and Dizziness Are Not the Same Thing
Before exploring what might be causing your symptoms, it helps to understand the difference between these two closely related experiences. Vertigo specifically refers to a false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. Dizziness is a broader term that includes feelings of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a floating sensation without the spinning component.
Cervical vertigo symptoms include lightheadedness, floating, unsteadiness, or general imbalance, but rarely true spinning vertigo. A sensation of spinning usually suggests a non-cervicogenic origin, possibly Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Knowing which type you are dealing with is the starting point for effective care.
The Two Most Common Types We Treat
● BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
BPPV is the most common form of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and migrate into the semicircular canals where they do not belong. The condition typically causes brief episodes of intense vertigo triggered by specific head movements such as looking up, rolling over in bed, or bending down. The good news is that BPPV responds exceptionally well to specific repositioning techniques, particularly the Epley Maneuver, which guides those displaced crystals back to their proper position using a series of precise head movements.
● Cervicogenic Vertigo
Cervicogenic dizziness originates not in the inner ear but in the cervical spine. The exact mechanisms are not fully understood, but factors including whiplash injuries, prolonged poor posture, and cervical spine dysfunction can disrupt the neural input that the neck sends to the brain regarding balance and spatial orientation. This type of vertigo is closely associated with neck pain or stiffness and tends to be triggered by neck movements rather than head position changes alone.
Common Symptoms and Triggers
Vertigo and dizziness present differently depending on the underlying cause. Symptoms that commonly bring Tucson patients in for evaluation include:
● A spinning sensation triggered by rolling over in bed or looking up
● General unsteadiness or a floating feeling when moving the neck
● Dizziness accompanied by neck pain or stiffness
● Headaches at the base of the skull alongside dizziness episodes
● Nausea connected to dizziness episodes
● Symptoms that began or worsened after a car accident or whiplash injury
● Visual disturbances or difficulty focusing during dizzy spells
How Dr. Heaton Evaluates and Treats Vertigo
The evaluation begins with a detailed history of your symptoms, including when they occur, what triggers them, and whether neck pain is involved. Specific positional tests are used to assess whether the dizziness has an inner ear or cervical spine origin, and imaging may be ordered when needed to rule out structural causes.
A multimodal approach is often most effective, including chiropractic adjustments, mobilizations, and soft tissue techniques to alleviate cervical spine dysfunction, as evidence supports the use of manual therapy in reducing both neck pain and dizziness in cervicogenic cases. For BPPV, the Epley Maneuver and other repositioning techniques are used to guide displaced crystals back into their proper position. For cervicogenic dizziness, cervical adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and posture correction address the spinal dysfunction contributing to disrupted balance signals.
You Should Not Have to Live Around Your Dizziness
Many vertigo patients in Tucson spend months avoiding certain movements, sleeping in awkward positions, or limiting their activity out of fear of triggering an episode. In most cases, the underlying cause is very treatable with the right conservative care. The key is getting an accurate evaluation so the treatment actually matches the problem.
Call Arizona Chiropractic & Spine Rehabilitation in Tucson at (520) 600-3300 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Heaton and find out what is behind your vertigo or dizziness and what it will take to resolve it.
Are you ready for a Better Life?
If pain, injury, or limited movement is slowing you down, we'd love to help. At Arizona Chiropractic & Spine Rehabilitation, Dr. Heaton makes it simple to get the care you need and start your path toward real recovery.
At Arizona Chiropractic in Tucson, our mission is not only to help you recover from pain, but also to educate and empower you with the tools to maintain long-term health and wellness.
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601 N Craycroft Rd
Tucson, AZ 85711
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