Boulder Patient Finds Relief from Chronic Vertigo with Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Patient Overview

A 63-year-old female active professional in Boulder, Colorado presented to our office with a two-year history of recurrent vertigo episodes that significantly impacted daily life and work performance.

Presenting Symptoms

• Spinning sensation when turning the head
• Dizziness with head movement
• Imbalance while walking
• Associated neck tension
• Occasional uncontrolled eye movements

The patient was searching for answers after traditional inner ear treatments failed to resolve symptoms.

Previous Treatments Attempted

The patient underwent vestibular physical therapy and the Epley maneuver. However, symptoms of dizziness and vertigo persisted. In fact, certain physical therapy exercises appeared to aggravate the eye movements and spinning episodes.

Multiple specialists in the Boulder area were consulted to rule out serious pathology, but no clear inner ear cause was identified.

Examination Findings

At our Boulder upper cervical chiropractic office, the following findings were observed:

• Upper cervical misalignment
• Limited neck rotation
• Muscle guarding in the cervical spine
• Postural imbalance
• Neurological findings consistent with altered autonomic function based on thermography

Clinical Impression

Findings suggested cervicogenic vertigo — dizziness related to upper cervical dysfunction rather than inner ear crystal displacement.

This type of vertigo is often overlooked when patients are evaluated strictly for inner ear conditions.

Treatment Plan

Care began at a frequency of two visits per week to stabilize the upper cervical spine and support nervous system function. At each appointment, thermography was used prior to adjustment to assess nervous system patterns. A post-scan was performed after the adjustment to confirm that the correction was achieved and holding appropriately.

Following each adjustment, the patient rested in zero-gravity chairs to allow the body time to integrate the correction and reduce muscular tension. As stability improved and symptoms decreased, visit frequency was gradually reduced based on objective findings and clinical progress.

Patient Progress

Week 2

• Approximately 30% reduction in spinning episodes

Week 4

• Improved balance
• Decreased neck tension

Week 8

• No spinning episodes
• Returned to full activity

Patient Outcome

After 10 weeks of upper cervical chiropractic care in Boulder, the patient reported complete resolution of spinning episodes and significant improvement in neck comfort and flexibility. Most notably, the anxiety surrounding sudden vertigo attacks resolved.

Patient Questioner

What symptoms were you experiencing before care?

“Vertigo  sometimes causes severe spinning, especially when I move my head in certain ways. Very often uncontrolled eye movement.”

How did vertigo affect daily life?

“I would occasionally get such bad spinning that I had to sit completely still until it passed. More than anything, I was worried something was seriously wrong with me. I saw multiple specialists trying to rule things out.”

What had you tried before coming here?

“Physical therapy made the eye movements worse. The Epley maneuver aggravated my symptoms because I didn’t have an ear crystal issue.”

When did you first notice improvement?

“About a month after starting treatment. I later stopped care for a few months, and after getting sick, the spinning returned. When I restarted treatment, I noticed improvement quickly.”

What can you do now that you couldn’t before?

“It’s more the relief of not worrying about triggering a spinning episode anymore. I feel steadier, and my neck feels more flexible.”

Not All Vertigo Is an Inner Ear Problem: The Role of the Upper Cervical Spine

Many patients in Boulder are told vertigo is always caused by inner ear crystal displacement. However:

• Not all vertigo is inner ear related.
• Neck dysfunction can disrupt balance signaling between the brain and body.
• Upper cervical alignment may influence dizziness patterns.
• Proper evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and targeted care.

If vertigo persists despite vestibular therapy, a cervical spine evaluation may be appropriate.

Who Should Consider an Upper Cervical Evaluation in Boulder?

You may benefit from an upper cervical evaluation if:

• You experience dizziness with neck movement
• Vestibular therapy has not resolved your symptoms
• Your vertigo has remained the same or worsened over time
• You have neck stiffness associated with balance issues

If you are in Boulder or surrounding communities and experiencing persistent vertigo, call 303-442-5911 or complete the contact form on our website to schedule a consultation.