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El Cajon, CA 92020
Dizziness/Vertigo
Vertigo and dizziness are disorienting, often frightening, and far more treatable than most patients have been told. Dr. Robert Caruso at Caruso Family Chiropractic in El Cajon CA identifies the correct cause and treats it directly. Call (619) 808-4550 for a same-day evaluation.
Care.
Relief.
Support.
Compassion.
Dizziness and vertigo are more common than many people realize, and they often have a clear physical cause. If you have episodes where the room feels like it is spinning or you feel constantly off balance, the first step is understanding what type of problem you are dealing with. Dizziness and vertigo are not the same condition, and confusing them is why many people struggle to find relief.
At Caruso Family Chiropractic in El Cajon CA, Dr. Caruso focuses on identifying the exact source of the issue before recommending care. That distinction is important because the right approach depends entirely on what is actually causing the symptoms.
Vertigo vs. Dizziness: Why the Difference Matters
People use the words interchangeably, but clinically they describe different things. Vertigo is the specific sensation that you or the environment around you is moving or spinning when it is not. It is a definitive, often alarming symptom with a specific set of causes. Dizziness is a broader term that covers lightheadedness, a foggy or floating feeling, imbalance, and general unsteadiness. Both can be significantly disruptive, and both can have a chiropractic component, but they point toward different areas of the nervous system and require different treatment approaches.
Understanding this distinction from the start is what allows Dr. Caruso to evaluate you accurately and direct care where it will actually do something useful.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is the most common cause of true vertigo and one of the easiest to treat. It happens when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear move out of place and enter a semicircular canal. When the head changes position, these crystals disrupt the normal fluid movement in the ear, sending incorrect signals to the brain and causing the spinning sensation.
Episodes are usually brief but intense and often triggered by movements such as rolling over in bed, sitting up quickly, looking upward, or bending forward.
Treatment involves the Epley maneuver, a guided series of head movements that reposition the crystals back where they belong. The procedure takes about 10–15 minutes and many patients feel relief during or shortly after treatment. Most cases resolve within one to three visits, and patients are often taught a home version of the maneuver in case symptoms return.
Getting Your Balance Back
Vertigo and dizziness can affect everyday life, making normal activities feel uncertain. Once the correct cause is identified, many patients experience significant improvement.
Dr. Caruso treats dizziness and vertigo patients from across East San Diego County, including Santee, Lakeside, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, and Alpine. If you have been dealing with these symptoms and have not had a clear diagnosis between BPPV and a cervical cause, the first step is a proper evaluation.
Make Your Health a Daily Priority
Caruso Family Chiropractic is here to help you understand your pain, ease your stress and improve your movement. Our approach is simple, clear and focused on your long-term comfort.
We provide gentle, effective and personalized chiropractic care for individuals and families, giving each person the support they need to feel better and move with ease.
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