Why Do I Keep Getting Vertigo? Understanding Recurring Dizziness and What to Do About It

You had vertigo once, and it passed. Then it came back. Maybe it’s been happening for months — or years. You turn over in bed and the room spins. You stand up too fast and have to grab the wall. You’re afraid to drive. You cancel plans. You stop telling people about it because they don’t understand how disabling it really is.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and more importantly, you’re not out of options.

This article is written specifically for people in Springfield and Central Illinois who have dealt with vertigo that keeps returning and haven’t been able to find a lasting answer. We’re going to explain why recurring vertigo happens, why so many common treatments fail to solve it permanently, and what a different approach — one focused on the root cause rather than the symptoms — can do for you.

What Is Vertigo, Really?

Vertigo is the sensation that you or the world around you is spinning, tilting, or moving when nothing actually is. It’s different from general dizziness or lightheadedness — vertigo has a distinct rotational quality that can be mild and fleeting or severe enough to make standing up impossible.

It can come with nausea, vomiting, sweating, difficulty walking, and a sense of panic. For people who experience it regularly, the fear of the next episode often becomes as disabling as the vertigo itself.

Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. That’s an important distinction. It means something in your body is producing that sensation — and finding out what that something is determines whether you actually get better.

The Most Common Causes of Recurring Vertigo

1. BPPV — The Most Frequently Diagnosed (But Not Always the Full Story)

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the most common diagnosis given to vertigo patients. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals called otoliths break loose in the inner ear and migrate into the semicircular canals, where they don’t belong. When you move your head in certain ways, these crystals shift and send false movement signals to your brain.

BPPV is often treated with the Epley maneuver — a series of head movements designed to guide the crystals back into the correct position. For some people, this works well. But for people whose vertigo keeps returning, BPPV is often only part of the picture.

Why it keeps coming back: If the underlying reason the crystals are dislodging in the first place isn’t addressed — whether that’s a structural issue in the neck, a history of head trauma, or neurological instability — the BPPV will recur.

2. Cervicogenic Vertigo — The Most Overlooked Cause

Cervicogenic vertigo is dizziness that originates from the neck, specifically from dysfunction in the upper cervical spine. It’s one of the most common and consistently under-diagnosed causes of chronic vertigo — and it’s the area where Upper Cervical Chiropractic care can make a profound difference.

Here’s why the neck matters so much for balance:

Your sense of balance isn’t controlled by one system — it’s a constant three-way conversation between your inner ear, your eyes, and the proprioceptors in your upper neck and spine. The upper cervical region — particularly the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) — is loaded with sensory receptors that feed information about head position and movement directly to the brainstem.

When the atlas or axis is misaligned, even slightly, those signals get distorted. The brainstem receives conflicting information — your inner ear says one thing, your neck says another, your eyes say something else. That conflict produces vertigo.

This is especially common in people who have had:

A car accident or whiplash injury
A fall, sports injury, or blow to the head
A history of concussions
Long-term poor posture (especially from desk work)
Chronic neck tension or stiffness

If your vertigo comes with neck pain, stiffness, or headaches — or if it’s triggered by specific head movements or positions — cervicogenic involvement is very likely.

3. Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear involving abnormal fluid pressure that causes episodes of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), a feeling of fullness in the ear, and fluctuating hearing loss. Episodes can last minutes to hours and are often unpredictable.

The exact cause of Meniere’s isn’t fully understood, but research increasingly points to a connection between upper cervical misalignment and the fluid drainage pathways of the inner ear. When the atlas is misaligned, it can affect the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and lymphatic drainage around the inner ear structures — creating the conditions for Meniere’s episodes.

Many Meniere’s patients who haven’t found lasting relief with medication or dietary changes find significant improvement after upper cervical correction.

4. Vestibular Migraines

Not all migraines announce themselves with head pain. Vestibular migraines produce vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems — sometimes with a headache, sometimes without. They’re often misdiagnosed for years.

People with vestibular migraines may notice that episodes are triggered by certain foods, hormonal changes, stress, or — critically — by neck tension and postural changes. This overlap with migraine and headache patterns is another area where upper cervical alignment plays a significant role.

5. Post-Concussion Dizziness

Dizziness and vertigo are among the most persistent and disabling symptoms following a concussion. The impact of a head injury disrupts the brainstem, affects the vestibular pathways, and almost always creates trauma to the upper cervical spine — even when imaging appears normal.

If you’ve had a concussion and never fully recovered, or if your vertigo started after a head injury months or even years ago, the upper cervical spine deserves a close look.

6. Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS)

Less common but worth mentioning — MdDS is a persistent sensation of rocking, swaying, or bobbing that typically begins after motion exposure (cruise ships, flights, car trips) and doesn’t resolve when the motion stops. It can last months or years and significantly impacts quality of life.

Why Does My Vertigo Keep Coming Back?

This is the most important question — and the honest answer is that for most people with recurring vertigo, the root cause has never been fully identified or corrected.

The standard medical approach to vertigo is:

Rule out serious causes (stroke, tumor)
Diagnose BPPV if crystals are suspected
Prescribe vestibular suppressant medication (meclizine, diazepam)
Recommend vestibular rehabilitation therapy
Wait

This approach manages the symptom. It doesn’t find and fix the underlying instability that’s producing it.

If you think of your nervous system like a building, the upper cervical spine is the foundation. When the foundation is off, the whole structure above it compensates. Medication quiets the alarm — it doesn’t level the foundation.

For people whose vertigo returns again and again, the question to ask is: What is still not right that keeps allowing this to happen?

Common reasons vertigo keeps recurring include:

An unresolved upper cervical misalignment that was never detected because standard chiropractic or medical imaging didn’t look for it with enough precision
Repeated trauma (whiplash, falls, sports impacts) that continues to destabilize the upper neck
A structural issue like a ligament injury from a past accident that makes the atlas chronically unstable
Compensatory patterns throughout the spine and posture that pull the upper neck back out of alignment after temporary corrections

What Most Treatments Miss

The Epley Maneuver

The Epley maneuver is an effective tool for BPPV — when BPPV is the primary cause. But it does nothing for cervicogenic vertigo, Meniere’s, vestibular migraines, or post-concussion dizziness. And even in BPPV cases, if something structural keeps dislodging the crystals, the Epley will keep needing to be repeated.

Vestibular Suppressant Medications

Medications like meclizine, diazepam, or promethazine reduce the sensation of vertigo by suppressing the vestibular system. They can be helpful short-term for an acute episode. But they don’t correct the underlying cause, and long-term use can actually slow the brain’s natural adaptation process — the process called vestibular compensation that helps your brain recalibrate.

Generic Chiropractic Adjustments

Standard chiropractic care addresses the spine broadly, but most general chiropractic techniques don’t focus on the upper two vertebrae specifically or use the level of imaging precision needed to correct atlas misalignments accurately. An adjustment to C5 or the lumbar spine is not the same as a precise correction of the atlas and axis.

The Upper Cervical Approach — Why It’s Different

At Keystone Chiropractic in Springfield, Dr. Schurger uses the Blair Upper Cervical Technique — a highly specialized form of chiropractic care that focuses exclusively on the atlas and axis, the top two vertebrae of the spine.

Here’s what makes the approach different:

Precision Imaging First

Before any adjustment is made, Dr. Schurger uses advanced imaging to see exactly what’s happening at the craniocervical junction. Keystone Chiropractic is one of the few chiropractic offices in Central Illinois using CBCT (Cone Beam CT) scanning — a 3D imaging technology that reveals the precise position, orientation, and degree of misalignment of the atlas and axis in three dimensions.

Standard X-rays can miss subtle misalignments. CBCT doesn’t.

Infrared thermography is also used to measure asymmetrical heat patterns along the spine — an objective indicator of nervous system stress and imbalance that helps Dr. Schurger identify whether upper cervical dysfunction is present and track whether corrections are holding over time.

Customized, Gentle Corrections

The Blair technique does not involve twisting, cracking, or any forceful manipulation of the neck. The correction is calculated based on each patient’s unique anatomy as revealed by imaging — and then delivered as a precise, low-force adjustment specific to that patient.

No two spines are the same. No two corrections are the same.

Holding Is the Goal

Most people think of chiropractic as something you do every week indefinitely. The Upper Cervical approach is different. The goal is not to adjust frequently — it’s to help the spine hold its correction so the body can do its own healing. After an adjustment, patients rest for 30 minutes in zero gravity chairs to allow the correction to stabilize.

When the atlas stays in alignment, the brainstem can function without interference. The three-way balance conversation between your inner ear, eyes, and neck can happen without conflicting signals. Vertigo episodes decrease in frequency and severity — and for many patients, they stop entirely.

A Thorough First Visit

Your first appointment at Keystone Chiropractic includes a detailed health history, neurological and postural assessment, and precision imaging when appropriate. Dr. Schurger takes time to explain exactly what he finds and whether upper cervical care is the right approach for your specific situation — before any care begins.

There’s no pressure. There’s no guesswork. If upper cervical misalignment is contributing to your vertigo, you’ll know exactly why and what can be done about it.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Upper Cervical Care for Vertigo?

You may be a strong candidate if:

Your vertigo keeps coming back despite treatment
Your dizziness is triggered or worsened by head movement or neck positions
You have a history of head or neck trauma (car accident, fall, sports injury, concussion)
Your vertigo comes with neck pain, stiffness, or headaches
You’ve been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and aren’t finding lasting relief
You have post-concussion symptoms that haven’t fully resolved
You’ve tried the Epley maneuver and the vertigo returns
Other treatments have helped temporarily but the problem keeps coming back

You don’t need a referral. You don’t need a prior diagnosis. If you’re dealing with recurring vertigo and haven’t found answers, that’s reason enough to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recurring Vertigo

How do I know if my vertigo is coming from my neck?

Common signs include: vertigo triggered by turning your head or looking up, accompanying neck stiffness or pain, a history of whiplash or head injury, or vertigo that worsens after long periods of poor posture. Dr. Schurger uses thermography and postural analysis to determine whether the upper cervical spine is involved.

Is upper cervical chiropractic safe for vertigo?

Yes. The Blair technique is a gentle, low-force approach with no twisting or cracking. It is appropriate for patients of all ages, including seniors and those with conditions requiring extra caution. Many vertigo patients who were hesitant about chiropractic are surprised by how controlled and comfortable the adjustment is.

How many visits will I need?

It varies. Some patients notice significant changes quickly. Others with long-standing or complex cases improve gradually as the nervous system adapts and stabilizes. The goal is always to help the spine hold its correction so visit frequency decreases over time — not to keep you coming back indefinitely.

Can upper cervical care help with Meniere’s disease?

Many Meniere’s patients have responded well to upper cervical care. The relationship between atlas alignment and inner ear fluid dynamics is well-documented in the upper cervical chiropractic literature. While results vary, patients who haven’t found lasting relief with conventional Meniere’s treatment often find this approach worth exploring. Learn more about Meniere’s disease care at Keystone.

Do you accept patients from outside Springfield?

Yes. Patients travel from Chatham, Rochester, Sherman, Riverton, Athens, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Taylorville, and across Central Illinois. Many come specifically because they haven’t been able to find this level of specialized care closer to home.

You Don’t Have to Keep Living With This

Vertigo that keeps coming back is not something you simply have to accept. It is a signal that something in your body is still not right — and in many cases, that something is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine that has never been properly identified or corrected.

Dr. Schurger has spent his career helping people in Springfield and Central Illinois who felt frustrated, dismissed, and out of options. Many of them had seen multiple specialists before walking through Keystone’s door. Many of them finally got answers here.

If you’re tired of the spinning, tired of the uncertainty, and ready to find out whether an upper cervical approach can help you — we’d love the opportunity to talk.

Schedule your first appointment at Keystone Chiropractic →

Keystone Chiropractic | 450 S Durkin Drive, Ste B, Springfield, IL 62704 | (217) 698-7900

Dr. Frederick Schurger is a Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractor and Diplomate in Chiropractic Craniocervical Junction Procedures serving Springfield, Chatham, Rochester, Sherman, and Central Illinois.

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