Condition
BPPV & Vertigo Treatment in St. Louis, MO
When the Room Won't Stop Spinning
You roll over in bed, look up at a shelf, or bend to tie a shoe — and the whole room takes off. That's the signature of BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), the most common cause of vertigo. It sounds scary, but it's a mechanical problem: tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear drift where they don't belong. Mechanical problems usually have mechanical fixes. Dr. Joe Sas tests for BPPV and uses gentle, precise repositioning maneuvers to put those crystals back where they belong.
Signs It Might Be BPPV
BPPV has a pattern. Common signs include:
Brief, intense spinning (seconds to a minute) triggered by head position
Dizziness when rolling over in bed, lying down, or getting up
Vertigo when looking up or bending forward
Nausea or unsteadiness that follows the spin
Feeling "off" or off-balance between episodes
Symptoms that started after a head bump, car accident, or a long stretch lying flat (dental chair, salon sink, surgery)
The Approach to Vertigo
We start by finding out which ear — and which canal — the crystals are in. Positional tests like the Dix-Hallpike and supine roll test reveal the problem through telltale eye movements. From there, we use the repositioning maneuver matched to your case — like the Epley — a guided series of head and body positions that use gravity to move the crystals out of the canal. No drugs, no cracking, no guessing. Many people feel a dramatic difference within one to a few visits. And because neck stiffness and tension often ride along with dizziness, we also check your neck and upper spine and treat what we find with gentle adjustments.
Not All Dizziness Is BPPV — And We'll Tell You Straight
Dizziness has many causes — inner ear, neck, blood pressure, medications, and sometimes something more serious. Our exam is built to sort that out. If what we find doesn't fit BPPV, we'll say so and refer you to the right provider through our trusted referral network.
Call 911 or go to the ER if dizziness comes with a sudden severe headache, slurred speech, facial drooping, weakness or numbness on one side, double vision, or trouble walking — those can be signs of a stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor treat vertigo?
- Yes — when it's BPPV. The standard treatment is a canalith repositioning maneuver, a hands-on technique that moves displaced inner-ear crystals back into place. It's a mechanical fix for a mechanical problem, and it's right in our wheelhouse.
How many visits does it take?
- Many patients improve significantly within one to a few sessions. We retest after each maneuver so you'll know where you stand.
Will the maneuver make me dizzy?
- Briefly. The positions can trigger a short spin — which actually confirms we're working on the right canal. It passes quickly, and we go at your pace.
Can BPPV come back?
- It can, especially after a head injury or as we age. The good news: it usually responds to the same treatment again, and we'll show you what to watch for.
My dizziness started after a car accident — is that related?
- It can be. Head and neck trauma is a known trigger for BPPV. Mention it — and see our auto-accident care.
Let's Get Your World to Stop Spinning
We'll find out what's driving your dizziness, tell you straight what we can fix, and point you to the right person when it's not us.