Vertigo: Why You Feel Dizzy and What To Do

Hey there, this is Doctor Aaron Zimmerman from Bear Chiropractic here in Grand Rapids, and today we’re talking about something that really throws people off balance… literally. Vertigo. That spinning, dizzy sensation that makes you feel like the room is moving even when you’re standing still.

Now, here’s the thing. A lot of folks use the word dizzy to describe all kinds of sensations. Maybe you feel lightheaded, or foggy, or like you might faint. But true vertigo is different. It’s that specific feeling that you or the world around you is spinning or tilting. And let me tell you, when it hits, it can be absolutely terrifying.

So what causes this?

Well, the most common culprit is something called BPPV… that stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. I know, that’s a mouthful. But here’s what’s happening. Inside your inner ear, you’ve got these tiny calcium crystals. They’re supposed to stay in one spot, but sometimes they break loose and drift into the wrong part of your ear canal. When you move your head, these little crystals tumble around and send false signals to your brain about which way is up. Your brain gets confused, and boom… vertigo.

The good news? BPPV is usually fixable, often in just one or two visits.

Now, vertigo can also come from neck problems. Your upper cervical spine, that’s the top part of your neck, has a huge job. It’s packed with sensors that tell your brain where your head is in space. When those upper neck joints get stiff or misaligned, maybe from an old injury or years of poor posture, they can send scrambled signals. Your brain is getting mixed messages from your neck, your eyes, and your inner ear… and that can trigger dizziness or a spinning sensation.

You know what I hear a lot? People say, I just woke up with it. Or, I turned my head too fast and suddenly I couldn’t stand up straight. That’s classic BPPV. Other times, people notice it creeping in over weeks or months, usually tied to neck tension or headaches. That might point more toward a cervical issue.

Here’s what you can do right now.

First, slow down your head movements. If you’re dealing with vertigo, quick turns or looking up suddenly can make it worse. When you get out of bed, sit on the edge for a few seconds before standing. Give your system a chance to adjust.

Second, stay hydrated. Dehydration can make dizziness worse, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Third, avoid triggers if you’ve noticed patterns. For some people, it’s bright lights or busy visual environments. For others, it’s certain head positions. Pay attention and try to minimize what sets it off.

But here’s the most important thing… don’t just live with it.

Vertigo is one of those conditions that responds really well to the right treatment. If it’s BPPV, we can often resolve it with specific maneuvers that guide those crystals back where they belong. If it’s coming from your neck, gentle chiropractic adjustments and targeted exercises can restore proper motion and get those signals firing correctly again.

The key is getting evaluated so we know exactly what we’re dealing with. Vertigo isn’t something you should just push through or hope goes away on its own.

So if you’re in the Grand Rapids area and you’re struggling with dizziness or that awful spinning sensation, give us a call at Bear Chiropractic. We’ll sit down, talk through what’s going on, and figure out the best path forward to get you feeling steady again.

Thanks for listening, and remember… you don’t have to live off balance. We’re here to help.