Course Details

Dizziness, poor balance and vertigo are very common symptoms that present to a Chiropractor’s office. Their causes can be varied and often difficult to identify, ranging from cervical spine, inner ear, brain as well as anxiety and medication. Imaging and traditional Chiropractic examination is often insufficient in helping define the etiology. The ability for a Chiropractor to be able to differentially diagnosis and then most appropriately manage or refer is critical for best patient outcomes.

Fortunately, a working diagnosis can be easily and competently sourced from the patients' history and bedside examination. An evidence-based and best-practice recommended approach will be presented in this practical-focused module.

A neurophysiological approach is discussed, allowing the practitioner to narrow the differentials based on understanding of some basic neuroanatomy and physiology. A bedside examination will be demonstrated to differentiate dizziness originating from the cervical spine, inner ear (peripheral vestibular system), oculomotor systems as well as an acute cerebrovascular incident. This will include a series of tests referred to as Head-Impulse-Nystagmus-Test-of-Skew (HINTS) which is able to predict a stroke with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity in patients with acute vertigo and at least one vascular risk factor.

Identifying the cause(s) of dizziness can be complex and time consuming. This module serves to help the Chiropractor through the process.