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The Response of Modern Medicine
Modern medical treatment of vertigo depends on the cause of the dizziness, which is determined by an examination of the ears, eye movements and nervous system; possibly by a caloric test, in which water at different temperatures is poured into the ear to check the function of the vestibular function in the brain; a neck x-ray to check for cervical spondylitis; and/or a CT scan or MRI to rule out a tumor pressing on the brain. The results would determine the treatment approach. For example, if Ménière's Disease is suspected as the cause of the vertigo, a low-salt diet may be recommended. If, on the other hand, an infection is suspected, antibiotics will be prescribed. If no apparent cause is found, medications such as antihistamines, anticholinergics (to prevent nausia, vomiting and motion sickness) or benzodiazepines (to relieve anxiety) may be prescribed to help stabilize the structures in the inner ear. Vestibular rehabilitation, or balancing exercises, may also be recommended. For severe, disabling cases that do not respond to medication and exercise, surgery may be suggested.
The Natural Medicine Approach to Vertigo
 Vertigo, which involves the false sensation either of oneself or of objects moving or spinning, usually accompanied by nausea and a loss of balance, is potentially a symptom of any one of a number of different conditions. These include Barré-Lieou Syndrome, which involves a very wide range of symptoms thought to be due to a dysfunction of the group of nerves called the posterior cervical sympathetic nervous system, located near the vertebrae in the neck; Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome, which involves spasms of the chewing muscles, often as a result of clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth, both of which are aggravated by stress; Eagle Syndrome, which involves the elongation of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament calcification, and results in sharp, intermittent pain along the glossopharyngeal nerve, as well as vertigo; and Ernest Syndrome, which arises when the stylomandibular ligament of the jaw becomes inflamed and produces feelings of pain in several areas of the head and neck, as well as vertigo.
If any of the above are identified as a source of the vertigo, treatment would include Prolotherapy to the weakened, injured or lax ligaments involved. Prolotherapy is the safest and most effective natural medicine treatment for repairing tendon, ligament and cartilage damage. In simple terms, Prolotherapy stimulates the body to repair painful areas. It does so by inducing a mild inflammatory reaction in the weakened ligaments and cartilage. Since the body heals by inflammation, Prolotherapy stimulates healing.
Vertigo may also be caused by the improper or disturbed functioning of the autonomic nervous system, which governs the life-sustaining functions of the body such as breathing, blood flow and perspiration. In this case, the dysfunction usually relates to improper opening and closing of the Eustachian tube, a bony and cartilaginous tube through which the middle ear communicates with the pharynx. If this is the case, Neural Therapy, a gentle healing technique developed in Germany that involves the injection of local anesthetics into autonomic ganglia, peripheral nerves, scars, glands, acupuncture points, trigger points, skin and other tissues, may be performed. In addition testing for food allergies may be done to determine if such sensitivities may be causing a build up of fluid in the ear.
However, in most conditions involving vertigo, Prolotherapy is recommended. Prolotherapy offers the most curative results in treating chronic pain. It effectively eliminates pain because it attacks the source: the fibro-osseous junction, an area rich in sensory nerves. What’s more, the tissue strengthening and pain relief stimulated by Prolotherapy is permanent!
Nearly all pain conditions can be successfully treated with Prolotherapy, including:
Osteoarthritis
Tendonitis
Migraines
Sports Injuries
Loose Joints (Hypermobility)
Fibromyalgia
RSD Pain
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
Sciatica
Herniated Discs
Degenerated Discs
Degenerated Joints
Chondromalacia Patellae
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Ligament Sprains
Plantar Fasciitis
...and Back, Hip, Neck, Shoulder, Knee, Elbow, Foot, Ankle, Hand, Wrist, Finger and Toe Pain
To learn more about the Prolotherapy procedure, click here. To read about an athlete with vertigo (resulting from Barré-Lieou Syndrome) who has benefited from Prolotherapy, click here.
If you are interested in more information about Prolotherapy or to schedule an appointment with one of our natural medicine specialists, please contact Caring Medical at 708-848-7789 or online using our contact form.
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