Dizziness & vertigo
Dizziness and vertigo are very common, affecting an estimated 15–20% of adults each year in large population studies. Prevalence increases with age, with up to 30–50% of people over 65 reporting dizziness or vestibular symptoms.
Dizziness can feel like spinning (vertigo), light-headedness, imbalance, rocking, or “floating.” It often involves the vestibular system (inner ears), but is also influenced by the eyes, neck, jaw, feet, core, and multiple brain centres that work together to keep you upright and your eyes level with the horizon.
Common causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), inner ear infections, blood pressure changes, neck/jaw problems, and more widespread nerve or metabolic issues.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, we focus on mechanical and vestibular causes we can help—such as BPPV, cervicogenic dizziness, visual-vestibular mismatch, and posture-related imbalance—while screening for red flags that need urgent medical or neurological care.
Is it vertigo, light-headedness, or something else?
People use “dizzy” to describe many different sensations:
spinning or the room moving (true vertigo)
feeling light-headed or about to faint
unsteady, as if on a boat or walking on foam
disoriented when turning the head or moving in busy environments
For some, episodes are brief and triggered by position changes. For others, dizziness becomes persistent and disabling, affecting work, driving, and confidence in everyday movement.
Our first job at Roots is to clarify what type of dizziness you have, then understand which systems are involved.
What's going on in the balance system?
Staying upright is a full-body team effort. Your brain constantly integrates information from:
Inner ears (vestibular system) – detect head movement and orientation relative to gravity
Eyes – provide visual reference for the horizon and movement around you
Neck muscles and joints – tell the brain where the head sits on the body
Feet and legs – send information about pressure, surface, and joint angles
Jaw and upper neck – rich in proprioceptors that influence head and body position
Core and trunk – provide a stable base for head and eye movements
These signals are processed in multiple brain areas, including the brainstem, cerebellum, parietal and insular regions, and visual motion areas—forming a network that senses movement and keeps posture and gaze stable.
When this network is working well, you can:
keep your eyes on the horizon when you move
walk, turn, and bend without feeling like you’ll fall
coordinate head and eye movement smoothly
When it’s not, the result can be vertigo, imbalance, nausea, visual blurring, or a constant sense of “not feeling right.”
Why you might be feeling this way
There are many potential causes. Some of the more common ones we see or screen for include:
1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Small crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear become displaced into the semicircular canals.
Causes brief, intense spinning with head movements (rolling in bed, looking up, bending forward).
More common with age; studies show BPPV is particularly frequent in adults over 50, with significant prevalence in older populations.
2. Vestibular neuritis / labyrinthitis
Inflammation of the inner ear or vestibular nerve, often after a viral illness.
Typically causes sudden, prolonged vertigo, nausea, and imbalance, sometimes with hearing changes.
3. Cervicogenic dizziness (neck-related)
Poor neck proprioception from stiff or overloaded neck muscles and joints.
Can create a mismatch between what the neck, eyes, and inner ears tell the brain about head position.
4. Visual-vestibular mismatch
Sensitivity to busy visual environments (supermarkets, scrolling screens, driving).
Common after concussion, vestibular disorders, or long-term screen use.
5. Jaw/TMJ and upper cervical issues
Tight or dysfunctional jaw and upper neck muscles can influence head position and proprioception, contributing to a sense of imbalance or “swimmy” head.
6. Cardiovascular and metabolic causes
Blood pressure changes, arrhythmias, anaemia, dehydration.
Metabolic or neurological conditions (e.g. diabetes-related neuropathy, MS) affecting sensory input and nerve function.
7. Anxiety and persistent dizziness
Chronic dizziness is often associated with musculoskeletal pain and psychological distress; pain and anxiety can worsen perception of dizziness and slow recovery.
At Roots, we focus on vestibular and musculoskeletal contributors, while staying alert for patterns that require medical or neurological work-up.
How we can help at Roots
At Roots Health Clinic, we use a structured, step-by-step approach:
Assessment
detailed history (onset, triggers, associated symptoms)
basic neurological and vestibular screening (where appropriate to our scope)
positional tests for BPPV (e.g. Dix–Hallpike)
assessment of neck, jaw, spine, feet, and balance reactions
screening for red flags that require medical/ENT/neurology referral
Vestibular and balance rehabilitation
canalith repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV (e.g. Epley-type techniques) when indicated
graded balance and gait exercises (feet, ankles, hips, core)
visual-vestibular exercises to improve tolerance to head and eye movement
Physiotherapy & chiropractic care
improving neck and upper-back mechanics
releasing overactive neck, jaw, and shoulder muscles
addressing posture and movement patterns that provoke symptoms
Whole-body movement and confidence rebuilding
progressive exposure to previously dizzy-making movements
strategies for safe movement in busy environments and during daily tasks
breathing and relaxation to help calm the nervous system
If your presentation suggests central nervous system disease, serious cardiovascular issues, or complex metabolic causes, we’ll clearly explain our concerns and coordinate with your GP, ENT, or neurologist.
Dizzy or off-Balance? Get your system checked in Prague
If headaches are limiting your work, family life, or training, you don’t have to keep guessing.
At Roots Health Clinic in Prague, our team of chiropractors and physiotherapists will:
identify the neck, jaw, posture, and lifestyle factors behind your headaches
treat the irritated structures and calm the system, using the safest appropriate techniques
give you clear, practical tools to reduce future flare-ups
You’ll always have our email and phone number so you can reach us between visits if you have questions or concerns.
Why you might be feeling this way
Your dizziness may be driven by one or more of:
Inner ear disturbances (e.g. BPPV, past vestibular neuritis)
Neck stiffness and muscle tension altering head-position signals
Jaw/TMJ overload (clenching, grinding) affecting upper neck and vestibular integration
Poor foot and core control making balance more effortful, especially on uneven ground
Visual dependency – relying more on vision because vestibular or neck signals are unreliable
Age-related changes in inner ear hair cells, vestibular reflexes, and sensory integration
Coexisting musculoskeletal pain in the neck, back, or shoulders, which is common in patients with persistent dizziness and can worsen outcomes if not addressed.
The pattern of when and how your dizziness appears (position, movement, environment) is one of the best clues to what’s happening.
When you should seek emergency care
Dizziness and vertigo are usually not life-threatening, but certain patterns need urgent medical assessment.
Seek emergency or urgent care if:
dizziness/vertigo starts suddenly and severely with difficulty speaking, facial droop, double vision, severe imbalance, or limb weakness (possible stroke)
new hearing loss in one ear, severe ear pain, or fluid/blood from the ear
severe, continuous vertigo for hours–days with intense headache and vomiting
dizziness after major head trauma or neck injury
chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath accompany dizziness
These are different from typical BPPV or neck-related dizziness and must be checked urgently.
What people often notice after care
With appropriate assessment and rehab, many people report:
fewer and less intense vertigo episodes
better balance and confidence walking, especially in the dark or on uneven ground
less neck and jaw tension
improved ability to turn the head, drive, shop, or be in busy environments
clearer understanding of what they can safely do and what to avoid temporarily
For persistent dizziness, addressing both mechanics and pain/stress factors often leads to the best results.
You’re not imagining it
Many people with dizziness are told it’s “just in their head” or that nothing can be done. But dizziness is real—and it’s exhausting. It can impact your work, social life, and even make simple daily tasks feel overwhelming.
You deserve to be taken seriously. At Roots, we believe in listening first, asking the right questions, and treating you with respect and clarity. Even when scans are clear and bloodwork is fine, there can still be a real, physical reason for what you’re feeling.
What sets us apart:
We never dismiss symptoms just because they’re hard to describe
We combine vestibular, musculoskeletal, and functional assessments
We focus on what you can do, not just what to avoid
We support you step by step—even if it’s been going on for years
We know how scary dizziness can be. You’re not alone—and there is a way forward.