Why You Feel Dizzy (All About Vertigo)

Hey there, this is Doctor Jacob henricksen from Crystal Grove Chiropractic here in Loots, Florida. Today we’re talking about something that affects millions of people every single year — that sudden spinning sensation that makes you feel like the room is moving even when you’re standing perfectly still. We’re diving into vertigo and dizziness, and more importantly, what you can actually do about it.

Now, I want to start by saying this — if you’ve ever experienced true vertigo, you know it’s no joke. It’s not just feeling a little lightheaded. It’s that overwhelming sense that the entire world is rotating around you. Some people describe it like being on a boat in rough water, even though they’re sitting in their living room. And here’s the thing — it can happen out of nowhere, which makes it pretty scary for a lot of folks.

So let’s break down what’s actually happening. Your sense of balance comes from three systems working together — your inner ear, your vision, and something called proprioception, which is how your joints and muscles tell your brain where you are in space. When these systems get conflicting information, that’s when you feel dizzy or experience vertigo.

The most common type of vertigo is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. I know that’s a mouthful, so most of us just call it B P P V. This happens when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear get dislodged and float into the wrong spot. When you move your head, these crystals shift around and send false signals to your brain about motion. The good news? This type is very treatable.

Now, here’s what I hear a lot in the office — people say, “Doctor henricksen, I get dizzy when I stand up too fast.” That’s actually different from vertigo. That’s usually a blood pressure thing or maybe dehydration. True vertigo feels like spinning. It’s triggered by head movements, like rolling over in bed, looking up at a shelf, or bending down to tie your shoes.

Another thing that can cause dizziness is tension and restriction in your neck. Your upper cervical spine — that’s the top part of your neck — has a ton of receptors that feed information to your brain about head position. When those joints aren’t moving properly or the muscles are super tight, it can confuse your balance system. I see this all the time with people who’ve had whiplash injuries or who work at computers all day with their head forward.

So what can you do about it? First, if you’re experiencing new or sudden vertigo, especially if it comes with a headache, vision changes, or trouble speaking, you need to get checked out right away. Those could be signs of something serious.

For common vertigo like B P P V, there are specific maneuvers we can do in the office that literally move those crystals back where they belong. It’s pretty amazing actually — we guide your head through certain positions and gravity does the rest. Most people feel relief right away or within a few treatments.

For neck-related dizziness, chiropractic adjustments to restore proper motion in your upper cervical spine can make a huge difference. We’re taking pressure off those nerves and helping your proprioceptive system send clear signals again.

Here’s what you can start doing today. Stay hydrated. Dehydration makes dizziness worse. Avoid sudden head movements if you’re in the middle of a vertigo episode. And pay attention to your posture — especially if you’re on your phone or computer a lot. That forward head position puts a ton of stress on your neck.

If dizziness is affecting your daily life — if you’re nervous about driving, if you’ve had a fall, or if it just won’t go away — come see us at Crystal Grove Chiropractic. We’ll do a thorough evaluation, figure out what’s causing it, and create a plan to get you stable again. You don’t have to just live with it.

Thanks for listening today. I’m Doctor Jacob henricksen, and we’re here in Loots ready to help you feel steady on your feet again. Take care!