Dizziness & Vertigo Treatment in Melrose Park

Understanding Why You're Dizzy Is the First Step Towards Recovery

Feeling dizzy can be frightening.

Many people tell me they've had blood tests, MRI scans or CT scans, only to be told that "everything looks normal"—yet they still feel unsteady, off balance or as though the room is spinning.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

Dizziness is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care, but it's also one of the most misunderstood symptoms. Unlike lower back pain or shoulder pain, dizziness is not a diagnosis. It's a symptom that can have many different causes.

At Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park, I have a particular clinical interest in the assessment and rehabilitation of dizziness. Every patient receives a detailed evaluation to help identify the systems that may be contributing to their symptoms, including the inner ear (vestibular system), vision, neck, nervous system and balance.

My goal is not simply to reduce dizziness—it's to help you understand why you're feeling dizzy and develop a personalised, evidence-based rehabilitation plan that helps you regain confidence in your movement and daily life.

What Is Dizziness?

"Dizziness" is a broad term that means different things to different people.

Some patients describe:

  • The room spinning

  • Feeling off balance

  • Light-headedness

  • Floating sensations

  • Feeling like they're walking on a boat

  • Motion sensitivity

  • Feeling disconnected

  • Unsteadiness while walking

  • Difficulty focusing their vision

Each description provides important clues about what may be causing your symptoms.

Common Causes of Dizziness

Dizziness can arise from several body systems.

Common causes include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

One of the most common causes of vertigo, often triggered by changes in head position such as rolling over in bed or looking upward.

Vestibular Disorders

The inner ear plays a vital role in balance.

Conditions affecting the vestibular system may lead to dizziness, imbalance and motion sensitivity.

Examples include vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis and vestibular hypofunction.

Cervicogenic Dizziness

For some people, dysfunction of the muscles and joints in the upper cervical spine may contribute to dizziness.

These symptoms are often associated with neck pain or stiffness and should only be diagnosed after other potential causes have been appropriately assessed.

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Dysfunction

Your brain, eyes and inner ear work together through the vestibulo-ocular reflex to keep your vision stable while your head moves.

If this system is not functioning efficiently, you may experience blurred vision with movement, dizziness or difficulty maintaining visual focus during walking or turning your head.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)

PPPD is one of the most common causes of persistent dizziness.

People often describe:

  • Feeling like they're rocking or swaying

  • Feeling worse in supermarkets

  • Difficulty in busy visual environments

  • Increased symptoms with movement

  • Feeling better when sitting still

PPPD is a recognised neurological condition that often develops following another episode of dizziness.

Other Causes

Dizziness may also be related to:

  • Migraine

  • Certain medications

  • Low blood pressure

  • Heart conditions

  • Anxiety

  • Neurological disorders

  • Vision problems

This is why assessment is so important.

Why a Thorough Assessment Matters

One of the biggest misconceptions is believing that all dizziness is treated the same way.

In reality, treatment for BPPV is completely different from treatment for PPPD or vestibular hypofunction.

At Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park, your assessment may include:

  • Detailed medical history

  • Vestibular screening

  • Eye movement assessment

  • Vestibulo-ocular reflex testing

  • Balance assessment

  • Cervical spine examination

  • Neurological screening

  • Postural assessment

  • Functional movement assessment

  • Positional testing where appropriate

If I believe your symptoms require medical investigation or referral to an ENT specialist, neurologist or vestibular physiotherapist, I'll discuss this with you.

Evidence-Based Rehabilitation for Dizziness

Your treatment plan depends entirely on your diagnosis.

Management may include:

  • Vestibular rehabilitation exercises

  • Balance retraining

  • Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) exercises

  • Eye movement (oculomotor) exercises

  • Habituation exercises

  • BPPV repositioning manoeuvres (such as the Epley manoeuvre) when clinically appropriate

  • Cervical spine treatment where clinically appropriate

  • Chiropractic care for associated neck dysfunction

  • Postural advice

  • Home rehabilitation programmes

  • Education about your condition

The goal is to help your brain adapt, improve balance and reduce symptoms over time.

From Dr Nasim

Dizziness is one of the most rewarding conditions I work with because many patients have spent months—or even years—looking for answers.

One of the things I hear most often is:

"Everyone tells me my scans are normal, but I still don't feel right."

Normal imaging doesn't mean your symptoms aren't real.

The balance system is incredibly complex. It relies on your inner ear, eyes, neck, brain and nervous system all working together. If one part of that system isn't communicating efficiently, dizziness can occur even when MRI or CT scans appear normal.

My goal is to listen carefully to your story, perform a thorough assessment and help identify which systems may be contributing to your symptoms. Sometimes chiropractic care forms part of that plan, while other times vestibular rehabilitation, specific exercises or referral to another healthcare professional is the most appropriate next step.

I believe the best outcomes come from understanding the cause of your dizziness—not guessing.

Home Advice

Depending on your diagnosis, your rehabilitation programme may include:

  • Balance exercises

  • Eye movement exercises

  • Vestibular rehabilitation

  • Neck mobility exercises

  • Walking programmes

  • Gradual exposure to movement

  • Stress management strategies

  • Sleep optimisation

  • Following your prescribed home exercises consistently

Recovery looks different for everyone, and exercises should always be tailored to your diagnosis.

When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Attention?

Although many causes of dizziness are not life-threatening, seek urgent medical attention if dizziness is associated with:

  • Sudden weakness

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Double vision

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Severe headache

  • Chest pain

  • Difficulty walking that develops suddenly

  • Sudden hearing loss

  • Facial drooping

  • Persistent vomiting

These symptoms require immediate medical assessment.

Myth vs Fact

❌ Myth

"If my MRI is normal, there can't be anything wrong."

✅ Fact

Many common causes of dizziness, including BPPV, PPPD and vestibular hypofunction, often do not appear on MRI or CT scans. Diagnosis is based on a detailed history and clinical examination.

Did You Know?

Your brain constantly combines information from three major systems to maintain balance:

  • Your inner ear (vestibular system)

  • Your eyes (vision)

  • Your muscles and joints (proprioception)

If one of these systems isn't working efficiently, your brain may receive conflicting information, leading to dizziness or imbalance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can chiropractic care help dizziness?

Some people with dizziness related to musculoskeletal conditions, such as cervicogenic dizziness, may benefit from chiropractic care as part of a personalised management plan. For other causes of dizziness, vestibular rehabilitation or referral to another healthcare professional may be more appropriate.

How do I know if I have BPPV?

BPPV typically causes brief episodes of spinning vertigo triggered by changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed or looking up. A clinical assessment can help determine whether BPPV is the cause of your symptoms.

Can neck problems cause dizziness?

Some people experience cervicogenic dizziness, where altered input from the neck may contribute to dizziness. This diagnosis should only be made after appropriate assessment and consideration of other potential causes.

What is vestibular rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation is an evidence-based exercise programme designed to help the brain adapt to changes in the balance system. It may include balance training, eye exercises and head movement exercises.

Why do I feel worse in supermarkets or busy shopping centres?

Busy visual environments may aggravate symptoms in some people, particularly those with PPPD, vestibular disorders or vestibulo-ocular reflex dysfunction.

Why Choose Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park?

Dizziness can be complex, and that's exactly why I take the time to understand your story.

Dr Nasim Vesalpour has a special clinical interest in the assessment and rehabilitation of dizziness, vestibular disorders and cervicogenic dizziness. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, every patient receives a comprehensive assessment to identify the systems contributing to their symptoms.

Our approach includes:

✔ Evidence-based assessment

✔ Vestibular rehabilitation

✔ Balance retraining

✔ Vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) rehabilitation

✔ BPPV assessment and repositioning manoeuvres where appropriate

✔ Cervical spine assessment

✔ Individualised home exercise programmes

✔ Collaboration with GPs, neurologists, ENT specialists and vestibular physiotherapists when appropriate

My goal is simple—to help you understand your dizziness, regain confidence in your balance and return to living your life.

Related Conditions

You may also be interested in:

  • BPPV

  • Cervicogenic Dizziness

  • PPPD

  • Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Dysfunction

  • Headaches

  • Neck Pain

  • TMJ Dysfunction

Book an Appointment

If dizziness, vertigo or balance problems are affecting your work, driving or everyday life, you don't have to navigate it alone.

Book an appointment with Dr Nasim Vesalpour at Spine Chiropractic Melrose Park for a comprehensive dizziness assessment and an evidence-based rehabilitation plan tailored to your individual needs.