Dizziness is a common complaint from patients who have recently experienced an auto accident. Everyone describes dizziness differently, but you may feel lightheaded, faint, or as if the room is spinning. These symptoms can be debilitating, especially if they strike while you're working or driving. Fortunately, a skilled chiropractor can help ease or even eliminate dizziness completely during an auto accident treatment.

Why Do Car Accidents Cause Dizziness?

Patients experience dizziness for different reasons after a car crash, and an experienced chiropractor can help you find the culprit. Depending on the severity of your accident, your dizziness may stem from one or more of the following conditions:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - a condition that occurs when the crystals in your inner ear become dislodged during a violent head movement. 
• Cervicogenic dizziness - commonly called vertigo, this condition occurs when the discs, muscles, and/or nerves in your neck become damaged by an accident or injury, such as a motor vehicle accident.
• Vascular dysfunction - a condition that occurs after the vascular system becomes damaged, making it difficult for blood to travel to the brain.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) - a condition such as a concussion or a skull fracture that occurs when your brain is injured during impact.

When the neck or surrounding areas are damaged, your brain may not get the signals it needs to function properly. You may find that your eyes work fine separately but don't work well together after an accident, thus causing dizziness. Dizziness can also occur from mental health problems that develop or worsen after an accident, such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

How Do Chiropractors Treat Dizziness From Automobile Accidents?

When you schedule an appointment for car accident treatment, your chiropractor will conduct a thorough exam to get a clear picture of your symptoms. If you haven't had imaging done by another provider since the accident, the chiropractic office may perform X-rays on your spine. This helps the chiropractor understand which parts of your spine are out of whack and potentially responsible for your dizziness. 

After that, your chiropractic team will work with you to develop a detailed auto accident treatment plan. Every patient is different, but your plan may include chiropractic adjustments of the neck or back, ice therapy, heat therapy, laser therapy, or electrotherapy. These treatments can help reduce dizziness, plus decrease the amount of pain you feel after an accident.  

Some chiropractic patients exclusively receive car accident treatment from a chiropractor. Others work with their primary care provider, physical therapists, and other specialists to recover. A compassionate chiropractor can help you develop an auto accident treatment plan that tackles the root cause of your dizziness so you can get back to your regular routine. Reach out to an auto accident treatment service near you to learn more.