According to clinical research, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo affects about 64 people per 100,000 each year in the United States, that’s roughly 200,000 new cases annually and the risk rises by nearly 40% every decade.
While it can occur at any age, the peak incidence is between 50 and 70 years old, and cases in adults under 35 are rare unless there’s a history of head or neck trauma.
Globally, studies show a lifetime prevalence of about 2.4%, with women affected twice as often as men (3.2% vs. 1.6%), and a 9% prevalence among older adults with balance issues.
Those numbers highlight one simple truth: BPPV is common, underrecognized, and disruptive but it’s also highly treatable with the right approach.
What Is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)?
Inside your inner ear are small calcium crystals (called otoconia) that help your brain detect motion and orientation. In the condition of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, said crystals would become dislodged and drift into the canals of the inner ear, thus sending false movement signals to your brain.
This mismatch between what your eyes see and what your body feels leads to vertigo.
While BPPV itself is not dangerous, it can increase your risk of falls and significantly affect your quality of life if left untreated.
Patients often describe:
- Sudden dizziness when lying down, turning the head, or looking up
- Unsteadiness or difficulty maintaining balance
- Nausea or mild vomiting
- Blurred or “jumping” vision
- Lightheadedness or a sensation of floating
Episodes usually last under a minute but can recur frequently throughout the day, especially with certain head movements.
Causes of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Wheat Ridge, CO
Head or Neck Injury
Direct trauma or blows to the head or neck area often disturbs the inner ear’s delicate structures or affects how the neck muscles and joints communicate with the balance centers of the brain. These are often seen in high impact sports such as football.
Auto Accidents
Car accidents, even at low speeds, often involve sudden acceleration or deceleration forces that can jolt the neck and inner ear. These rapid movements may dislodge the calcium crystals (otoconia) inside the inner ear, triggering vertigo episodes.
Poor Ergonomics
Extended dental procedures, long hours at a desk, or sleeping in a fixed position can reduce blood flow and alter head orientation, encouraging the inner ear crystals to shift into the semicircular canals. This can trigger vertigo even with simple movements..
Postural Imbalance and Neck Tension
Forward head posture and tight cervical muscles can disrupt normal sensory input from the neck to the brain’s balance centers. This altered feedback can intensify dizziness and make recovery from BPPV slower if left uncorrected.
How We Treat Vertigo at The Disc Chiropractic
When someone comes in with vertigo or dizziness, our goal is to calm the spinning sensations and correct the underlying imbalances in the neck and nervous system that keep the body off balance. Here is what i usually recommend
Chiropractic Adjustments
Using my hands or with the aid of an instrument. We perform precise and gentle adjustments to the upper cervical spine. This restores proper joint motion and nerve communication between the neck and inner ear reducing the tension and misalignment that can aggravate vertigo symptoms.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
The Triton DTS spinal decompression table gently relieves pressure on spinal and neck structures through computerized traction. This process creates negative pressure that gently re-aligns the neck thus reducing irritation around the vestibular nerves.
Shockwave Therapy
Our Intelect RPW 2 delivers focused acoustic waves that break down scar tissues and trigger points, thus stimulating stem cell production and blood circulation back into the affected muscles around the neck and upper back.
FAQs About Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Can BPPV go away on its own?
Yes. In some cases, BPPV resolves on its own within a few days to weeks as the displaced calcium crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear naturally settle. However, studies show that recurrence rates can reach up to 50% within five years.
How long does it take to feel better after treatment?
Most patients notice a reduction in dizziness within one to three visits, depending on severity and duration of symptoms. Chronic or recurrent BPPV may take two to six weeks of continuous treatment for full stabilization.
Is chiropractic care safe for vertigo?
Yes. Chiropractic care for BPPV is considered safe and non-invasive when performed by a trained provider. The right chiropractor would use gentle cervical adjustments, spinal decompression, and targeted soft-tissue therapies.
Can chiropractic treatment help if my vertigo started after a neck or head injury?
Absolutely. Whiplash, concussions, or even minor neck strains can disturb both the cervical spine and the vestibular system. This can alter how your brain processes information, the right chiropractic care helps restore equilibrium and reduce dizziness linked to trauma by gently re-alligning the problematic discs or muscles involved.
What can I do at home to prevent vertigo episodes from coming back?
Avoid sudden head movements, especially when looking up or rolling over in bed. Sleep with your head slightly elevated, and take breaks during desk or phone work to stretch and reset your posture. Staying hydrated, performing prescribed vestibular or neck exercises, and maintaining regular chiropractic visits can all help prevent recurrence.
What can I do at home to prevent vertigo episodes from coming back?
Avoid sudden head movements, especially when looking up or rolling over in bed. Sleep with your head slightly elevated, and take breaks during desk or phone work to stretch and reset your posture. Staying hydrated, performing prescribed vestibular or neck exercises, and maintaining regular chiropractic visits can all help prevent recurrence.
Don’t Live with Dizziness or Imbalance
If vertigo is disrupting your sleep, focus, or confidence in daily movement, you don’t have to live with it. At The Disc Chiropractic in Wheat Ridge, we combine advanced technology and personalized chiropractic care to help you regain your stability safely and naturally.
Take the first step with our $97 New Patient Special you’ll leave your first visit knowing what’s causing your dizziness and what it will take to get lasting relief.
Book an Appointment Now or Call: 720-573-4910 to get started.