Dizziness

Relief Through Precision Care

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Expert Care for Dizziness


At Cerebral Chiropractic, we excel at helping patients find lasting relief from dizziness. Our expertise lies in identifying and addressing the root cause of this debilitating condition, and we’ve seen countless lives transformed as a result. Many of our patients come to us after years of searching for answers, and we’ve been able to restore their balance and confidence with our unique approach to care.

The reason we’ve been so successful is our ability to differentiate where dizziness originates. Many people believe dizziness stems from inner ear or vision problems, and while that can occasionally be true, it is less common than originating from problems in a very specific area of the brainstem. This brainstem area, which coordinates balance, sits within the craniocervical junction—the critical region where the skull meets the spine. Treatments targeting the inner ear or vision don’t succeed because they don’t address this more common source of the issue.


The Physiological Root Causes of Dizziness


Dizziness is more than just a feeling of disorientation—it’s a sign of a mismatch in your body’s balance system. This system is composed of three main sensory inputs that work together to provide a sense of stability and spatial awareness.


Eyesight

Eyesight contributes about 10% of the information needed for balance by helping the brain orient the body in relation to the environment. While vision plays a role, the balance system can adapt without it—many blind individuals maintain excellent balance without experiencing dizziness.


Inner Ears

The inner ears provide approximately 20% of the information necessary for balance. Within the ears, semicircular canals contain fluid and small stones that move with head motion. These movements send signals to the brainstem, letting it know the head’s position, movement direction, and speed.


Proprioceptors

Proprioceptors, located throughout the body, provide spatial awareness by telling the brain how the body is positioned. Approximately 70% of balance-related information comes from these proprioceptors, with the most sensitive located in the upper neck muscles and joints.


When functioning correctly, these three systems send signals to the vestibular nucleus in the brainstem, ensuring your body feels stable and balanced.


Mismatched Signals: The Underlying Cause of Dizziness


The vestibular nucleus, located in the brainstem within the craniocervical junction, is the body’s balance center. It processes information from your eyes, inner ears, and proprioceptors, integrating these signals to provide a sense of stability and orientation. For the balance system to work properly, the signals from these three systems must align.


If the signals don’t match, dizziness occurs. A few examples of this mismatch would be:

  • If your eyes perceive your head as straight, but your proprioceptors signal that it’s tilted, the mismatch results in dizziness.
  • If your inner ears sense that your head has turned 20 degrees to the right, but your neck’s proprioceptors report only a 10-degree turn, the conflicting signals will create disorientation.


This mismatch is the primary cause of dizziness. In severe cases, the imbalance can escalate into vertigo, a more extreme sensation where the room feels like it’s spinning. (Read more about vertigo here)


Misalignments in the craniocervical junction are a common but overlooked cause of mismatched signals. These misalignments can interfere with proprioceptive nerve function, disrupting the brainstem’s ability to integrate information from the balance system.


Advanced Orthogonal Chiropractic: Locating and Correcting the Root Cause


At Cerebral Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, we specialize in identifying and correcting misalignments in the craniocervical junction. Many people who have dizziness have a misalignment in this area and don’t even know it.


These misalignments disrupt the proprioceptive signals from the upper neck, leading to the mismatched inputs that cause dizziness.

Using the Advanced Orthogonal Technique, we precisely correct these misalignments with the following process:


  1. Comprehensive Evaluation: We use advanced imaging to measure misalignments in the craniocervical junction with millimeter precision, identifying even subtle disruptions.
  2. Gentle Correction: Once identified, we correct these misalignments using percussion sound wave technology. Unlike traditional chiropractic adjustments, this method is non-invasive—there’s no cracking, twisting, or popping of the neck.
  3. Restoration of Function: Realigning the craniocervical junction resolves proprioceptive mismatches, allowing the vestibular nucleus to process accurate signals and restore balance.


This targeted approach addresses the root cause of dizziness, providing lasting relief without invasive procedures or medications.


What Makes the Advanced Orthogonal Technique Different?


The Advanced Orthogonal Technique offers a safer, more precise, and longer-lasting solution for dizziness than traditional methods.


  • Targeted Diagnostics: While many treatments focus on the inner ear or vision, our approach prioritizes evaluating the craniocervical junction, a frequently overlooked source of balance issues.
  • Gentle Adjustments: Traditional chiropractic care often involves forceful manipulations that can feel uncomfortable or risky, especially for patients already experiencing dizziness or neck pain. The Advanced Orthogonal Technique uses sound wave technology to deliver corrections that are both gentle and highly effective.
  • Reproducible Results: By relying on advanced imaging and precision tools, this technique ensures consistent, reliable outcomes tailored to each patient’s anatomy.


For patients who have struggled to find relief through conventional treatments, this unique approach provides a new path to healing.


From Struggle to Stability: Patient Success Stories


Living with dizziness doesn’t just affect your balance—it can disrupt every aspect of your life, from work to social interactions to your ability to enjoy daily activities. At Cerebral Chiropractic, we understand the toll it takes, and we’re here to help just like we did for these patients:


All dizziness is gone and staying gone!

"Six weeks ago, I got very dizzy. It started with a neck massage. When I got up, I couldn't move my head. It felt like I was falling. A friend referred me to Dr. Chris Slininger. After persistent, sound wave adjustments and care, all dizziness is gone and staying gone! My posture has improved, and I feel steady on my feet again. I’m so thankful to have found the root cause and to be on my way to better health."

– Debbie Jetter


 Everything changed for the better.

"After struggling with persistent dizziness, neck pain, and a loss of balance, my daily life became increasingly difficult. Simple tasks like gardening, focusing on projects, and exercising were all affected. However, after receiving care at Cerebral Chiropractic, everything changed. My mobility, strength, and balance significantly improved, and I was finally able to resume my favorite activities. Now, my life is more enjoyable, and I'm back to living a healthy, active lifestyle, all thanks to the dedicated care I received."

– Brenda K.

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Take Control of Dizziness with Expert Care


If you’re tired of living with dizziness and want to understand its root cause, it’s time to take the next step. At Cerebral Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, our expert doctors specialize in using the Advanced Orthogonal Technique to evaluate and correct misalignments in the craniocervical junction.



During your consultation, we’ll take the time to listen to your story, evaluate your symptoms, and determine whether you’re a candidate for care. If misalignments are identified, we’ll develop a personalized plan to restore balance and help you regain control of your life. Relief is possible—and it begins with understanding the root cause.


Contact us today at (727) 677-0001 or click the button below to schedule your consultation. Let us help you feel steady, confident, and balanced again.

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References


  • Yacovino DA, Hain TC. "Clinical Characteristics of Cervicogenic-Related Dizziness and Vertigo." Semin Neurol. 2013 Jul;33(3):244-55. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1354592. PMID: 24057828.
  • Miller JA, Hosek MS, Rectenwald R, Sliver J, Pierce Sr. GS. "Improved Stability Measured by Posturography Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care." J Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. 2018 Oct;33-45.


Related Articles

A Brief History of POTS

By Dr. Ethan Surprenant, DC • September 23, 2025
From “Soldier’s Heart” to Modern Science Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) might sound like a modern diagnosis, but descriptions of similar symptoms go back more than a century. Doctors once called it “effort syndrome” or “soldier’s heart” when young recruits fainted or struggled with rapid heartbeats upon standing. It wasn’t until the 1990s that Dr. Phillip Low and Dr. Ron Schondorf at the Mayo Clinic formally introduced the term POTS to describe patients with orthostatic intolerance—those whose heart rate jumped dramatically when standing without the expected blood pressure drop (Schondorf & Low, 1993). This unifying definition helped shape research and treatment around a condition that had long been misunderstood. What Have We Learned About POTS Since Then? Over time, scientists discovered that POTS is not one single disease but a syndrome with multiple drivers. Four major insights stand out: Hypovolemia (low blood volume) : Many patients have reduced circulating volume, leading to fatigue and dizziness. Hyperadrenergic states: Some live in a constant “fight-or-flight” mode, with adrenaline surges driving symptoms. Deconditioning: Prolonged inactivity can weaken the heart muscle and reduce stroke volume. Exercise responsiveness: Graded, structured activity has been shown to reverse much of this imbalance. Together, these findings have shifted care away from “just anxiety” toward real, measurable physiological changes. Why This Matters for Patients Because POTS is heterogeneous , treatment must be personalized. Some patients improve with fluids, salt, and compression , while others need exercise retraining or strategies that calm the nervous system. At its core, progress often depends on empowerment : learning to pace, self-regulate, and gradually rebuild tolerance. That means long-term improvement is possible—even if the journey looks different for each patient. The Upper Cervical Connection At Cerebral Chiropractic, we also pay attention to the craniocervical junction (CCJ) —the area where the top of the spine meets the base of the skull. This region surrounds the brainstem , which regulates blood pressure, heart rate, and vagal tone. When there is even subtle misalignment , pressure or irritation at this level may disrupt autonomic balance. That can amplify the very same challenges POTS patients face—like poor blood flow regulation, excessive sympathetic drive, and reduced vagal calming. By restoring alignment, upper cervical care may help reduce brainstem stress, support healthier blood flow, and allow the body to better regulate itself. While not a standalone solution, it can be part of a comprehensive plan that includes hydration, exercise, and patient education. Related Reading  Raj SR. The postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS): pathophysiology, diagnosis & management. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2006 Apr 1;6(2):84-99. PMID: 16943900; PMCID: PMC1501099. Schondorf R, Low PA. Idiopathic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: an attenuated form of acute pandysautonomia? Neurology. 1993 Jan;43(1 Pt 1):132-7. doi: 10.1212/WNL.43.1_Part_1.132. PMID: 8423877. Fu Q, Levine BD. Exercise and non-pharmacological treatment of POTS. Auton Neurosci. 2018 Dec;215:20-7. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2018.07.001. Epub 2018 Jul 4. PMID: 30001836; PMCID: PMC6289756.

Your Baby's Brain on Rest

By Dr. Ethan Surprenant, DC • September 23, 2025
Why does sleep matter so much for your little one? Sleep does incredible work: it helps your baby’s body repair itself, process new skills, and maintain internal balance—a process called homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to keep internal functions like temperature, heart rate, and chemical balance stable, even when the environment changes. For newborns, this balance is essential for healthy brain and body development. How Much Sleep Does a Newborn Need? Newborns typically sleep 16–18 hours per day and cycle between two main sleep stages: REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) – A lighter, active sleep stage where the brain processes motor skills and forms memories. NREM sleep (Non-REM) – A deeper, restorative stage that repairs cells and clears brain waste via the glymphatic system—a network of brain channels that flushes out toxins during sleep. Unlike adults—who spend about 20–25% of sleep in REM—newborns spend around 50% of their total sleep time in REM, and they start sleep in this stage, rather than NREM. How Long Are Infant Sleep Cycles? Infant sleep cycles (the alternation between REM and NREM) last approximately 47–50 minutes—much shorter than the 90-minute cycles typical in adults. Why Does This Matter for Brain Growth? REM sleep offers a kind of "motor skill rehearsal" for the nervous system, aiding memory integration. NREM sleep acts like a detox, facilitating tissue repair and neurological recovery. Studies indicate that early patterns of NREM (quiet sleep) correlate with later social-emotional skill development, while REM (active sleep) supports brain reorganization after learning new physical skills. Supporting Better Sleep at Home Here are simple, nurturing steps you can take to help your baby sleep soundly: Create a calming bedtime routine – Consistency (like a warm bath, gentle feeding, reading time, and soft lullaby) signals to your baby's body that it’s time to rest. Maintain a peaceful sleep environment – Keep the room comfortably cool, minimal light, and quiet to reduce disruption. A sound machine close to the door can help limit sound entering the room from the busier areas of the house. Encourage daytime movement – Activities like supervised tummy time, high-contrast books, and sunlight exposure can support better sleep later. Watch for early sleep cues – Yawning or turning away are signs your baby is ready to sleep; act before overtiredness sets in to make settling easier. If these strategies aren’t helping, it might indicate your child’s nervous system is struggling to self-regulate. In such cases, a local upper cervical or pediatric chiropractor may help gently improve the brain-body connection—supporting your child’s ability to achieve deeper, more restorative sleep. Key Takeaways Newborns sleep 16–18 hours a day and dedicate about half that time to REM sleep. Their sleep cycles are short—about 47–50 minutes—leading to frequent stage transitions. Quality REM and NREM sleep support memory, growth, and neural repair. At-home sleep routines can help—but if struggles persist, consider chiropractic support. Related Reading  On the development of sleep states in the first weeks of life. PLOS ONE . 2018. American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleep Disorders in Childhood. Pediatrics in Review . 2025;44(4):189–190. Iglowstein I, Jenni OG, Molinari L, Largo RH. Sleep Duration From Infancy to Adolescence: Reference Values and Generational Trends. Pediatrics . 2003;111(2):302–307. Boylan K, et al. The Architecture of Early Childhood Sleep Over the First Two Years: A Systematic Review. Maternal and Child Health Journal . 2022;26(10):1510–1521.

How Can Upper Cervical Care Help POTS Patients?

By Dr. Ethan Surprenant, DC • August 22, 2025
Brain Communication and POTS Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is one of the most misunderstood nervous system conditions today. It’s part of a larger group of disorders known as dysautonomia, where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) doesn’t function correctly. The ANS controls automatic body processes like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. When it’s out of sync, the body feels chaotic—especially when changing positions like standing up. POTS symptoms often include: Fast heart rate when standing Dizziness or fainting Brain fog Fatigue Temperature regulation issues Shaky or anxious feelings Many patients are told it’s “just anxiety” or are bounced from doctor to doctor without answers. But the issue is real—and it’s often rooted in how the brain and body communicate. The Three Subtypes of POTS There are three common subtypes of POTS, each with its own pattern: Hyperadrenergic POTS- This type involves too much adrenaline. When standing, people may feel like they’re in constant fight-or-flight mode: fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweating, and panic-like symptoms. Neuropathic POTS- This subtype results from poor nerve function, especially in the legs. The small nerves that control blood vessels don’t squeeze properly, so blood pools in the lower body. That means less blood gets to the brain—causing dizziness, blurry vision, or blue hands and feet. Hypovolemic POTS- Here, the total blood volume is too low. That could be due to problems with fluid retention, salt balance, or kidney function. People may feel lightheaded, weak, and intolerant to heat or exercise. Many patients actually have a mix of these subtypes, which is why personalized care is so important. Where Upper Cervical Care Comes In  At the very top of your spine is the craniocervical junction (CCJ)—the area where the skull meets the top two bones in your neck (the atlas and axis). This region surrounds the brainstem, which acts as the body’s autopilot control center. It helps regulate: Blood pressure Heart rate Breathing rhythm Vagal tone (rest-and-digest) Adrenal and kidney signaling Blood vessel control When the CCJ is misaligned—even by a few millimeters—it can distort neurologic input and blood flow to the brainstem. Think of it like a blown fuse at the breaker box: the system isn’t completely shut down, but nothing is working quite right. Upper cervical care gently corrects these misalignments, allowing the nervous system to regulate more effectively. Many POTS patients experience reduced symptoms like fewer dizzy spells, steadier heart rate, and improved mental clarity after care begins. Subtype Support: A Functional Comparison Here’s how upper cervical care may help across all three POTS subtypes:
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Our Doctors

Experts in Spinal and Neurological Care

Dr. Chris Slininger, DC, DCCJP

Craniocervical Specialist

Dr. Slininger focuses heavily on complex neurological conditions and advanced spinal challenges such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, concussion, mTBI and more.

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Dr. Ethan Surprenant, DC

Upper Cervical Chiropractor

Dr. Surprenant specializes in innovative, non-invasive Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care, uniquely addressing complex neurological conditions like dysautonomia, migraines, headaches, cranio-cervical syndrome, to restore lasting neurological health.

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