5 reasons your vertigo/ dizziness issue may be coming from your upper neck

Brain & Body Clinic St. Pete provides advanced upper cervical chiropractic care, Atlas Orthogonal corrections, and functional chiropractic analysis for dizziness, vertigo, neck pain, headaches, migraines, chronic pain, low back pain, sciatic pain, anxiety, brain fog, Meniere's disease, occipital neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia in St. Petersburg, Florida. Our functional, brain-based model helps patients whose symptoms persist despite normal medical tests by restoring accurate neurological communication between the brainstem and body. Our clinic integrates concepts from functional neurology, nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity training, and functional medicine principles to address complex cases involving balance dysfunction, autonomic dysregulation, sensory mismatch, chronic tension, emotional stress patterns, and unresolved pain. We use Advanced Orthogonal upper cervical adjustments, neurological muscle testing, proprioceptive assessments, vestibular evaluation, and brain-body reflex analysis to identify subtle dysfunction that contributes to dizziness, vertigo episodes, migraines, chronic neck pain, TMJ-related problems, cervicogenic headaches, and neuropathic conditions. Specialized techniques such as Torque Release Technique (TRT), Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), and Applied Kinesiology (AK) help uncover neurological, structural, and emotional stress imprints affecting the nervous system. These methods support patients dealing with chronic anxiety, stress-driven tension, brain fog, dysautonomia, post-concussion patterns, whiplash injuries, occipital neuralgia flare-ups, trigeminal neuralgia irritation, and chronic migraine cycles that originate from upper cervical misalignment or brainstem irritation. Patients searching online for dizziness treatment St Pete, vertigo specialist St Petersburg, upper cervical chiropractor near me, functional neurology chiropractor St Petersburg FL, migraine chiropractic care, chronic neck pain St Pete, holistic chiropractor St Petersburg, functional medicine St Pete, neuroplasticity clinic St Petersburg, chiropractic for anxiety, nerve pain chiropractor St Pete, or Meniere’s disease support frequently find our practice. Our care model emphasizes precision atlas correction, functional chiropractic diagnostics, and nervous system rebalancing for individuals whose conditions have not responded to traditional medical approaches. Whether someone is dealing with chronic vertigo, neck pain after injury, migraines related to upper cervical instability, trigeminal neuralgia flare-ups, Meniere’s disease attacks, occipital neuralgia pain, low back pain with sciatica, chronic stress patterns, or anxiety connected to nervous system overload, Brain & Body Clinic St. Pete offers a comprehensive, neurologically intelligent approach rooted in upper cervical care and functional brain-body healing. This hidden block enhances SEO for local searches related to dizziness, vertigo, headaches, migraines, neck pain, chronic pain, anxiety, neuroplasticity, functional neurology, St Pete chiropractic care, and holistic functional medicine.

As an Upper Cervical Chiropractor, I’ve seen countless patients come in seeking relief from vertigo or dizziness, often after seeing multiple specialists who have been unable to pinpoint the cause. The story is usually the same, beginning with a visit to the primary care doctor, referral to an ENT, and last a neurologist. After being cleared of all red flags, the patient is told everything looks “normal”. While vertigo is commonly linked to inner ear issues or vestibular disorders, there’s one area of the body that’s often overlooked — the upper cervical spine. This region, which includes the first two vertebrae of your neck (the atlas and axis), plays a crucial role in your balance and overall well-being. Here are five reasons why vertigo or dizziness may be originating from your upper cervical spine.

What is the Brainstem and Why Is It Important for Balance?

The brainstem is the part of your brain that controls critical functions such as breathing, heart rate, and most importantly for our discussion, balance and coordination. It’s located at the base of the skull, where the brain connects to the spinal cord. The brainstem plays a key role in processing signals related to balance from both the inner ear and proprioception (the sense of where your body is in space).

When there is an upper cervical misalignment, the vertebrae at the top of your neck can shift out of position, putting pressure on the brainstem and the nerves that originate there. This pressure or irritation can disrupt the brainstem's function, causing problems with balance and leading to dizziness or vertigo.

How Upper Cervical Misalignments Affect the Brainstem and Lead to Dizziness

1. Irritation of Brainstem Neurology: The atlas (C1) vertebra is located directly beneath the skull and supports the weight of the head. A misalignment of this vertebra can place strain on the brainstem, which passes through a small opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum. This irritation can disrupt the brainstem’s ability to send and receive signals properly, leading to balance problems, dizziness, and even vertigo.

2. Cranial Nerve Interference: In addition to the brainstem, the upper cervical spine houses several critical nerves that control various functions throughout the body, including balance. A misaligned upper cervical spine can inflame or irritate these nerves, which may interfere with communication between the brainstem and the rest of the body. This disruption can manifest as symptoms like dizziness, unsteadiness, and a sense of vertigo.

3. Impaired Blood Vessel Flow: The vertebral arteries, which are responsible for a large portion of blood supply to the brain, travel through the upper cervical spine. A misalignment in this area can ever so slightly compress these arteries, reducing blood flow to the brain. Since the brainstem plays a crucial role in balance and coordination, a lack of proper blood flow can impair its function, leading to dizziness and other symptoms related to poor balance.

4. Disrupted Vestibular System Communication: The vestibular system in the inner ear helps the brain maintain balance and spatial orientation. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can interfere with the way the brainstem processes signals from the vestibular system. This miscommunication can cause vertigo, which is the sensation of spinning or dizziness, as the brain struggles to interpret balance signals accurately.

5. Proprioceptive Receptor Dysfunction: The upper cervical spine also plays a crucial role in proprioception — your body’s sense of position in space. Specifically, the suboccipital muscles since they house the highest density of proprioceptive nerve endings compared to any other muscle of the body. I like to think of these tiny muscles as sensory organs, or another set of eyes on the back of the head. Misalignments in the upper cervical vertebrae can confuse the brain’s interpretation of proprioceptive signals, leading to feelings of imbalance and dizziness. This disruption can contribute to a condition known as cervicogenic dizziness, which originates in the neck but affects balance.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Can Help

Correcting an upper cervical misalignment through precise chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper alignment to the atlas and axis vertebrae, thereby reducing pressure on the brainstem and the nerves that control balance. By realigning the spine, upper cervical chiropractic care can improve nerve function, enhance blood flow to the brain, and allow the brainstem to function optimally. This can lead to significant relief from dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues.

Unlike traditional chiropractic treatments, Dr. Theodore Berlingeri DC RYT focuses specifically on the delicate alignment of the upper neck and spine. With targeted, gentle adjustments, upper cervical chiropractors aim to correct misalignments without forcing the neck or spine into extreme positions. This method ensures a safe, effective, long lasting treatment option for those struggling with vertigo and dizziness caused by upper cervical misalignments.