Vertigo – an Uncommon Cause

There are many potential causes for vertigo, food poisoning, chemical toxicity, virus in the middle ear, bacterial ear infections, atlas (first cervical vertebra) subluxation (misalignment), category II sacroiliac weakness (pelvis instability), crystals in the semicircular canals, cranial distortions, and approximately 5% of cases are the direct result of prescribed medications. There is one cause that never appears in any of the medical literature as a potential cause of dizziness or vertigo and that is dural fibrillation. Just like your heart can go into fibrillation or an arrhythmia so can the dural membrane system that surrounds the brain. When the dura goes into an arrhythmia, it adversely affects the pumping mechanism of the cerebrospinal fluid around the brain. This abnormal motion causes the patient to perceive stationery objects moving. Unfortunately there is no blood test, MRI, CAT scan or conventional test that can make a correct diagnosis. The only way of determining if dural fibrillation is present is through the skilled hands of a trained chiropractor called a craniopath or an osteopathic physician, cranial osteopath. A professional who has the manipulative skills to adjust the cranial bones can feel a person’s head and make a diagnosis in seconds.

Carol K. presented with the symptom of dizziness for several weeks. Conventional and even integrative medicine testing provided no clues to her vertigo. Upon examining the patient’s skull, it was quickly perceived that her motion was abnormal and in fibrillation. Treatment involved bringing her cranial motion to a still point. By gently compressing her skull bilaterally, her intracranial dural membranes started to unwind. After several minutes, the motion ceased reaching a still point. Upon release of her cranium, Carol stated that her vertigo totally disappeared. A one week post follow-up visit confirmed that her vertigo had not returned. Dural fibrillation represents an uncommon etiology that most healthcare practitioners do not even know exists.

Dr. Gerald Smith, DDS, DNM