How a Chiropractic Adjustment Healed My Vertigo (When Nothing Else Did)
For two weeks, my world spun.
It started with dizziness that felt like I was swaying on a boat I never boarded. Then came the vertigo, the migraines, the heavy pressure in my head that made it nearly impossible to function. If you’ve ever experienced vertigo, you know how unsettling it is. It robs you of stability - literally and emotionally. I felt trapped in a body I couldn’t trust, and I just wanted relief.
Because I live with fibromyalgia and scoliosis, my body already carries its fair share of tension and imbalance. Still, this vertigo felt different. I tried to piece it together, as I always do when symptoms arise. I cut back on caffeine (even though I was already only drinking six ounces a day). My diet is already super clean, and I hydrate with minerals, so I didn’t think that was the cause. I take the right supplements, but questioned whether I was perhaps taking too much magnesium, no, that wasn’t it. I wondered if my blood pressure was too low - it wasn’t. I tried the Epley maneuver at physiotherapy, meant to reposition the tiny crystals in the inner ear that can cause dizziness. It helped for a moment, but the relief never lasted. In fact, one simple movement of my neck at home brought the vertigo rushing back stronger than ever.
I went to a walk-in clinic, hoping for clarity. The doctor confirmed it was vertigo. She explained that it was likely those inner ear crystals again and offered me a prescription for medication that might help - or might make it worse. I declined. Deep down, I knew my body was trying to tell me something, and I wanted to find the root cause instead of masking the symptoms.
And then, I turned to chiropractic care.
The Adjustment That Changed Everything
When I arrived at my chiropractor’s office, I was exhausted - not just physically but emotionally. Living with an invisible illness teaches you how to survive in survival mode, but it doesn’t prepare you for when new layers of discomfort arrive out of nowhere.
My chiropractor listened closely as I described my symptoms. She suspected my C1 vertebra—the very top bone in the spine, right under the skull - was out of alignment. This vertebra is a powerhouse: it influences dizziness, vertigo, headaches, migraines, and even nervous system regulation.
The adjustment itself was gentle. And yet, the moment she realigned my C1, something incredible happened.
Relief.
Not gradual, not partial - complete. The spinning stopped. The pressure lifted. The headache melted away. For the first time in two weeks, my world stopped tilting. I could breathe again. Tears welled up in my eyes, not just from gratitude but from awe. Once again, natural medicine had met me where conventional care fell short.
Beyond Quick Fixes: Why Alignment Matters
This experience reminded me of something I’ve seen time and time again in my own healing journey and in my work as a holistic nutritionist: symptoms are messengers. My body wasn’t broken; it was crying out for balance.
In my case, poor posture, scoliosis, and the daily tension I carry in my neck and shoulders from stress had likely thrown my cervical spine out of alignment. The result? Vertigo. My chiropractor explained it so clearly: when the top vertebra is misaligned, it can disrupt nervous system communication and create symptoms that feel mysterious, overwhelming, and disconnected. But once realigned, the body can reset.
Now, I’m supporting my recovery with massage therapy to release muscle tension, more chiropractic sessions for reinforcement, and osteopathy to bring even deeper balance. And of course, I’m paying attention to my posture - something so simple yet so influential.
A Testament to Natural Medicine
This entire experience is a testament to how powerful natural medicine is - whether you’re navigating an acute issue like vertigo or living with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia. What could have become months or even years of struggle was resolved in just two weeks because I trusted my body, followed the clues, and leaned on natural practitioners who look for root causes instead of band-aids.
I’ve always believed that our bodies are intelligent, not broken. They communicate constantly through symptoms, inviting us to pause, listen, and respond. My vertigo wasn’t random - it was a message. And once I found the right support, the healing was immediate.
What This Means for You
Maybe you’re reading this because you’re struggling with vertigo yourself. Or maybe you’re navigating chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, migraines, or another invisible illness. Whatever your story, I want you to know this: healing is possible.
You don’t have to settle for being dismissed, medicated without answers, or told “this is just how it is.” You don’t have to spend decades chasing relief without understanding. Natural medicine - chiropractic, massage, osteopathy, nutrition, nervous system healing - offers another way forward. A way that honours your body’s wisdom and focuses on true balance, not just symptom suppression.
My Role as a Nutritionist
As a holistic nutritionist, I don’t just talk about food (though food is powerful medicine). I help women uncover and address the root causes of fatigue, pain, digestive issues, and more. We work together on nutrition, supplements, nervous system support, and lifestyle changes that create sustainable healing.
Just as my vertigo was resolved by addressing alignment instead of covering it up, I help my clients approach their health in the same way: by asking why instead of just what. Why are you tired? Why does your body ache? Why is your digestion off? Once we uncover the layers - whether they’re nutritional, structural, emotional, or environmental - we can create a plan that truly works.
Final Thoughts
Healing isn’t linear. It’s messy, emotional, and at times frustrating. But it’s also beautiful, empowering, and full of breakthroughs like the one I just experienced.
If you’re walking this road, don’t give up. Listen to your body. Seek out practitioners who see you as whole. Be willing to try, to learn, to trust.
Because sometimes, the shift you’ve been waiting for comes in a single adjustment.
P.S. If you’re ready to explore natural healing for chronic illness or recurring symptoms, I’d love to guide you. Book a free consultation with me here and let’s uncover your next steps together.
With heart,
Alexis Tanner | The Nutritionist Mama
Holistic Nutritionist
Guiding women to heal chronic illness through nutrition, lifestyle & nervous system support.