[Therapy of functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints in vestibular diseases]

Cervicogenic vertigo is caused by functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints. Improvement of vertigonous symptoms by chiropractic treatment was often described. The therapeutic effect of chiropractic treatment in 28 patients with vertigo and purely functional disorders of the upper cervical spine or with a combination of functional disorders of the upper cervical spine and the labyrinth was evaluated. Improvement of vertigonous symptoms on patients with purely functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints as well as on patients with combined functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints and labyrinth could be seen. Two of the 28 patients showed persistent relief of symptoms and normalisation of cervical motility whereas the vestibular deficit persisted. One patient with persistent vestibular dysfunction showed recurrent malfunction of the upper cervical spine and vertigo. In our opinion chiropractic treatment is mandatory for the therapy of patients with vestibular affections and functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints.