Vestibular Migraine: the second most common cause of vertigo
March 4, 2016
Migraines are one of the more common neurological conditions seen in our office. And while Migraines are often associated with pain and throbbing sensation, they are also connected with the vestibular, or inner ear systems within the brain that control balance, hearing and motion. These Migraine variants are known as Vestibular Migraines, and are the second most common form of vertigo and the most common cause of spontaneous episodic vertigo (1). These occur when the vestibular system and its central connecting signals are interrupted due to abnormal feedback from the neck, or oculomotor systems. A migraine itself is due to abnormal central neurological firing, associated with changes in blood vessel constriction and dilation, responsible for changes in oxygenation to various regions of the brain and scalp.
Common symptoms seen with vestibular migraines:
1) Ear fullness, tinnitus
2) Pain in the neck/base of the skull
3) Migraine pain
4) Vertigo, imbalance, dizziness
5) Spatial disorientation
6) Motion sickness
Treatment for vestibular migraines has progressed tremendously in recent years. We focus on the neurological problems occurring within the brain as well as the structural issues within the cervical and occipital regions to restore function to those affected. Whereas in years prior, we've treated vestibular migraines with medications, physical therapy or chiropractic alone. We now understand that to adequately treat, we must utilize the neuroplastic nature of the brain to retrain errors within the signaling and processing centers of the brain associated with vertigo and migraines.
At Portland Chiropractic Neurology, we specialize in the treatment of Migraines, Vestibular (dizziness/vertigo) conditions and Concussion. We utilize aspects of Vestibular Rehabilitation to restore neuroplasticity to faulty brain mechanisms, Chiropractic care to restore structural problems and Physical Therapy to strengthen and support posture and soft tissue associated with each injury. We are located in Portland at 959 Congress street and are the only Chiropractic Neurology practice within the state of Maine.
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3105632/
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