When you think of dizziness, you may picture true vertigo, which is when you feel as if the room is spinning around you. But what if instead of a spinning sensation, you are feeling rocking or swaying sensations? This can be caused by something called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and even though it isn't as serious as true vertigo, it can still be incredibly disorienting and uncomfortable. Rocking or swaying sensations can also be caused by problems with the neck, but seeking chiropractic care can help.

Chiropractors specialize in treating the neck and spine, and they have advanced training that enables them to assess a patient's posture, movements, and range of motion to determine if there is an underlying issue causing rocking or swaying sensations. If an issue is found, a chiropractor will use gentle treatments to correct it. Read on for easy-to-understand information about how your neck can trigger dizziness and other uncomfortable sensations, such as rocking and swaying.

Neck issues can affect your vestibular system

Your eyes, ears, and neck are all connected, so a problem with one of these can easily affect the other two. When it comes to rocking or swaying sensations, one of the most common causes is an issue with your vestibular system. Your vestibular system relies on signals from your eyes, ears, neck, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons to accurately understand where you are in space at all times. When there is a disruption in this system, you may feel dizzy and off balance, as if the room is slightly rocking or swaying.

There are numerous neck issues that can cause vestibular problems, including:

• Bulging discs in the neck
• Spinal stenosis
• Muscle tightness, especially around the neck and shoulders
• Ligament laxity or instability Incorrect posture or abnormal curvature of the spine
• Nerve entrapment or impingement

These issues can be painful, but chiropractic care can help.

How a chiropractor can help with rocking or swaying sensations

A chiropractor will use a comprehensive assessment to diagnose the underlying cause of your rocking or swaying sensations. This is done by assessing your posture, movements, and range of motion in order to identify any areas of dysfunction. The goal is to correct these dysfunctions by gently manipulating your spine, muscles, and ligaments to achieve proper spinal alignment and balance.

Chiropractor care isn't limited to spinal manipulation, especially when finicky neck muscles are causing vestibular problems. If you aren't a good fit for manual adjustments, a chiropractor may release trigger points, show you gentle stretches, perform cervical decompression, or provide other treatments to reduce tightness and relieve your symptoms.

Find relief from rocking and swaying sensations

Rocking and swaying sensations can be disorienting and uncomfortable, but chiropractor care can help. By using a comprehensive assessment process to identify any underlying issues in the neck, shoulder, and spine region, a chiropractor can help you get back to feeling like yourself again.

Contact a local chiropractor to learn more.