Crack! Pop! Pop! Crack! It feels satisfying, right? But this satisfaction may become a nightmare when you start feeling dizzy after a chiropractic appointment. You may wonder what’s wrong and get slightly worried as the situation worsens.
But don’t worry; it’s a common side effect many experience after a chiropractic adjustment. While it can be concerning, dizziness is usually temporary and resolves independently within a few hours. In this article, we’ll explore why dizziness occurs. Should you worry about it? How can you manage it, and when should you seek medical attention?
So, if you start to feel dizzy after a chiropractic appointment, scroll down and keep reading. Make sure you don’t skip anything important.
Why Do I Feel Dizzy After Chiropractic Appointment?
Dizziness after a good chiropractic adjustment session is a common side effect that can make you uneasy. This sensation often arises from neck adjustments. The inner ear, crucial for balance, may temporarily struggle to recalibrate as your body adjusts to new alignment.
Dizziness symptoms can vary, from lightheadedness to a spinning sensation known as vertigo. These reactions occur as the vestibular system, which manages balance, responds to sudden changes in position.
While most patients find that dizziness subsides within a few hours, staying hydrated and resting is necessary to help you recover. Additionally, understanding what to do after a chiropractic adjustment can further assist in managing side effects like dizziness and ensuring a smoother post-treatment experience. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult your chiropractor to rule out any serious issues.
Common Reasons for Dizziness
Experiencing dizziness after a chiropractic session isn’t uncommon, and understanding why it happens can help put your mind at ease. After your adjustment, let’s dive into the main reasons you might feel a bit off-balance.
Realignment of the Spine
When you undergo a spinal adjustment, it’s like giving your body’s framework a tune-up. Your spine is a complex 3D structure; even small changes can have significant effects. As your body adapts to its new, improved alignment, you might experience temporary dizziness. It’s similar to how you might feel wobbly after getting off a boat – your body just needs a moment to find its sea legs in this new, adequately aligned state.
Changes in Blood Flow
Your spine isn’t just about bones – it’s also a highway for blood vessels, including the crucial vertebral arteries. A chiropractic adjustment can sometimes cause temporary changes in blood flow, especially in the neck and head area. This shift in circulation might leave you feeling lightheaded, but it’s usually short-lived as your body quickly adjusts to the improved blood flow patterns.
Inner Ear Disturbances
Your inner ear is like your body’s built-in spirit level, helping you maintain balance. Chiropractic adjustments, particularly those involving the neck, can sometimes cause mild disturbances to the inner ear.
This can result in a form of positional vertigo, where you might feel a spinning sensation when you move your head. Don’t worry—this is typically temporary and resolves as your inner ear settles back into its normal function.
Neck Manipulation Effects
The upper neck region is a crucial area for balance and spatial awareness. When a chiropractor performs neck manipulation, it can temporarily affect the delicate balance mechanisms in this area.
You may feel dizzy or disoriented as your body recalibrates its position. Think of it as rebooting your body’s positioning system – it might take a moment, but soon you’ll be back to normal, often with improved overall function.
How Chiropractic Adjustments Can Affect Balance?
The spine plays a crucial role in proprioception and body awareness. When a chiropractor performs an adjustment, it can temporarily disrupt the body’s equilibrium as the nervous system adapts to the new spinal alignment. This manipulation can stimulate mechanoreceptors in the joints and muscles, altering the signals sent to the brain.
As a result, the nervous system may need time to recalibrate, potentially causing temporary dizziness or balance issues. However, in the long term, these adjustments can improve spinal function and enhance overall proprioception, leading to better balance. The effects on balance can vary among individuals, depending on factors such as the specific area adjusted and the patient’s health condition.
Types of Dizziness Related to Chiropractic Care
After getting your neck, back, or legs adjusted, you may feel various types of dizziness. However, each type of dizziness can be different, so you must know how your body responds to each.
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Cervicogenic dizziness is a condition characterized by both neck pain and dizziness. It stems from issues in the cervical spine, particularly the upper segments. Patients with this condition often experience a sense of imbalance or unsteadiness rather than true spinning vertigo.
Cervicogenic dizziness is typically provoked or worsened by neck movements or prolonged positions. It can also result from various neck problems, including joint dysfunction, muscle tension, or nerve irritation in the cervical spine.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. While not directly caused by chiropractic adjustments, it can sometimes be triggered or exacerbated by neck movements during treatment.
BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals. This leads to brief but intense episodes of vertigo, typically lasting less than a minute. Specific changes in head position usually provoke the vertigo symptoms.
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
This rare but serious condition involves reduced blood flow through the vertebral arteries, which supply blood to the back of the brain. While extremely uncommon, aggressive neck manipulation could potentially affect the vertebral artery blood flow in susceptible individuals.
Symptoms may include dizziness, vertigo, visual disturbances, and balance problems. To minimize this risk, chiropractors must perform a thorough assessment before performing any neck manipulation.
While dizziness is often mild, some patients might experience other discomforts, such as feeling sharp back pain after a chiropractor session. This can be a sign of your body adjusting to the treatment, but if the pain is intense or lasts longer than expected, contact your chiropractor.
When to Be Concerned About Post-Adjustment Dizziness?
It’s natural to experience some mild side effects after a chiropractic adjustment. However, knowing when these symptoms are typical and when they might cause concern is crucial for your well-being. Let’s break down what you should expect and what might be a red flag.
Normal vs. Abnormal Symptoms
Typically, post-adjustment symptoms are mild and short-lived. You might experience slight dizziness or lightheadedness, which usually subsides within a few hours. These sensations are often your body’s way of adapting to its new alignment.
Typical symptoms can include:
- Mild dizziness or lightheadedness
- Slight fatigue
- Minor headache
- Temporary muscle soreness
However, if these symptoms persist or intensify, it’s time to pay closer attention.
Red Flags to Watch For
While rare, certain symptoms warrant immediate attention. These red flags could indicate a more serious issue and shouldn’t be ignored.
Be on the lookout for:
- Severe or persistent vertigo that doesn’t improve
- Intense, unrelenting headaches
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Sudden weakness on one side of your body
Vertigo lasting more than a day or becoming increasingly severe is not typical and should be evaluated immediately. This could be a sign of a more severe condition, possibly related to the inner ear or, in rare cases, a vascular issue.
If you’ve had a recent neck injury or have a history of neck problems, be particularly vigilant. Any unusual symptoms following a neck adjustment should be promptly reported to your chiropractor or healthcare provider.
Remember, dizzy spells that come and go quickly are often regular, but if they persist or are accompanied by other concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. Your health and safety are paramount; being aware of these distinctions can help ensure you benefit most from your chiropractic care while staying safe.
Reliable Chiropractic Appointment for Pain Treatment
Understanding the potential for dizziness after chiropractic adjustments empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. Whether you’re seeking auto injury treatment, pain treatment, or sports injury treatment, chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to healing. Dr. Osland’s expertise in chiropractic treatment, including advanced techniques like 3D spine analysis and physiological therapeutics, ensures you receive comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Don’t let discomfort or fear of temporary side effects hold you back from experiencing the benefits of chiropractic care. If you’re ready to take the next step towards improved health and well-being, contact Dr. Osland today and discover how chiropractic care can transform your life, from pain relief to enhanced overall function. Your journey to optimal health starts with a single adjustment – why wait?
