Vertigo & Dizziness Relief
Vertigo Treatment Grand Rapids
If the room is spinning and you feel unsteady on your feet, you are not alone. Vertigo affects millions of people every year, and it can make simple tasks feel impossible. At The Chiropractic Doctors on 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids, we find the root cause of your dizziness and treat it without drugs or surgery.
Dr. Matthew Phinney and our team have helped patients across Grand Rapids, Cascade, Kentwood, and Forest Hills get lasting relief from vertigo. Whether your dizziness comes from inner ear problems, neck misalignment, or vestibular issues, we create a treatment plan built around your specific condition.
New Patient Special
$47
Complimentary Consultation
Understanding Your Symptoms
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo is not a disease on its own. It is a symptom that something in your body is out of balance. The most common cause is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), where tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear shift out of position. When these crystals move into the wrong canal, they send false signals to your brain about your head position, and the room starts to spin.
Cervicogenic vertigo is another frequent cause. This type starts in the upper neck. When the vertebrae in your cervical spine are misaligned, they can disrupt the nerve signals between your neck and brain. This creates a feeling of dizziness, unsteadiness, or lightheadedness that gets worse when you turn your head.
Other causes include vestibular neuritis (inflammation of the inner ear nerve), Meniere's disease (fluid buildup in the inner ear), and post-concussion syndrome. Some patients develop vertigo after a car accident, a fall, or even sleeping in an awkward position. At our Grand Rapids office, we evaluate each patient thoroughly to pinpoint the exact source of dizziness before starting treatment.
Your Treatment Options
How Do Chiropractors Treat Vertigo in Grand Rapids?
At The Chiropractic Doctors, we take a hands-on, drug-free approach to vertigo. Your first visit starts with a detailed history and examination. We check your cervical spine alignment, test your eye movements, and assess your balance to determine whether your vertigo is coming from your inner ear, your neck, or both.
For BPPV, we use the Epley maneuver and other canalith repositioning techniques. These gentle head movements guide the displaced crystals back to where they belong. Most patients notice a significant reduction in spinning during the first treatment. For cervicogenic vertigo, we perform precise chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine to restore proper alignment and nerve function.
We also incorporate vestibular rehabilitation exercises that you can do at home. These exercises retrain your brain to process balance signals correctly. Combined with regular adjustments, most patients see full resolution of their symptoms within a few weeks. Patients from Ada, Wyoming, and throughout the Grand Rapids area trust our team for vertigo relief that lasts.
BPPV Explained
What Is BPPV and How Is It Treated?
BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It is the single most common cause of vertigo, responsible for about half of all cases. You may notice intense, short episodes of spinning when you roll over in bed, tilt your head back, or look up. Each episode usually lasts less than a minute, but the disorientation and nausea can linger much longer.
The condition happens when otoconia (tiny calcium carbonate crystals) break loose from a membrane in your inner ear and drift into one of the semicircular canals. These canals detect rotational movement, so when crystals float through them, your brain receives movement signals that do not match what your eyes see. The result is sudden, intense spinning.
Treatment is straightforward and highly effective. The Epley maneuver involves a specific sequence of head positions that move the crystals out of the canal and back to where they belong. Dr. Phinney has performed this technique thousands of times over his 35-year career. One of our patients, Amy C., shared in her Google review that "He resolved my vertigo in a single treatment." While every case is different, same-day relief is common with BPPV.
Neck-Related Dizziness
Can Cervicogenic Vertigo Be Treated With Chiropractic Care?
Yes, and chiropractic care is one of the most effective approaches for this type of vertigo. Cervicogenic vertigo develops when the joints, muscles, or nerves in your upper neck send distorted signals to the brain. Your brain relies on input from your eyes, inner ear, and neck to maintain balance. When neck alignment is off, those signals conflict, and you feel dizzy or unsteady.
Common triggers include whiplash injuries, poor posture from desk work, and degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Patients often describe a constant, dull dizziness rather than the sudden spinning of BPPV. Turning the head or holding it in one position for a long time usually makes it worse.
Our treatment starts with gentle cervical adjustments to correct misalignment in the upper neck. We combine this with soft tissue work to release tight muscles around the suboccipital region. Many patients also benefit from postural correction exercises and ergonomic guidance. As the spine returns to proper alignment, the conflicting signals resolve and the dizziness fades. Patients throughout Cascade, Kentwood, and Forest Hills rely on our team for this specialized pain management approach.
Common Questions
Vertigo Treatment FAQ
How long does it take to get relief from vertigo with chiropractic care?
Many patients feel relief after their first visit. Conditions like BPPV can often be resolved in one to three treatments using repositioning techniques. Cervicogenic vertigo tied to neck misalignment may take a few weeks of adjustments to fully resolve. Your chiropractor will give you a clear timeline after your evaluation.
Is chiropractic treatment for vertigo safe?
Yes. Chiropractic adjustments and repositioning maneuvers are gentle, non-invasive, and well-studied. Dr. Phinney and the team at The Chiropractic Doctors use precise, controlled techniques that are safe for patients of all ages. There are no drugs or surgeries involved.
What is the difference between BPPV and cervicogenic vertigo?
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) happens when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear shift out of place. It causes brief, intense spinning when you change head position. Cervicogenic vertigo comes from misalignment or tension in the upper neck joints. Both are treatable with chiropractic care, but the approach is different for each.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor for vertigo?
No referral is needed. You can book a new patient consultation directly with The Chiropractic Doctors. We accept walk-ins and offer same-week appointments at our 28th Street SE office in Grand Rapids. Call (616) 432-3103 or use the form on this page.
Can vertigo come back after chiropractic treatment?
It can, especially with BPPV. The inner ear crystals may shift again over time. However, regular chiropractic maintenance helps keep your spine aligned and reduces the chance of recurring episodes. Many patients stay symptom-free for months or years with periodic visits.
Explore Our Care
Related Services
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise spinal adjustments to restore alignment, reduce nerve interference, and support whole-body healing.
Chiropractic AdjustmentsNeck Pain Treatment
Targeted care for neck stiffness, tension headaches, and cervical pain from misalignment or injury.
Neck Pain TreatmentPain Management
Drug-free pain relief through chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, and personalized treatment plans.
Pain ManagementStop the Spinning
Ready to Get Your Balance Back?
Do not let vertigo control your life. The Chiropractic Doctors in Grand Rapids have helped hundreds of patients find relief from dizziness, BPPV, and cervicogenic vertigo. Your $47 new patient consultation includes a full evaluation and same-day treatment when possible.