Vasovagal Syncope
Is your dizziness coming from your neck?
Vasovagal syncope is the medical term for that sudden wave of dizziness, weakness, and near blackout feeling that can hit out of nowhere. It often comes with anxiety, low blood pressure, shaky legs, and a sense that the ground is dropping beneath you. It’s especially frightening when it happens while driving or standing. This response is usually triggered by disruption of the vagus or glossopharyngeal nerves, both of which help regulate blood pressure, or by problems with blood flow to the brain. The real question becomes: what’s causing the vagus nerve to misfire in the first place and create these intense symptoms?
The Reason Vasovagal Syncope is a Tricky Diagnosis
Vasovagal syncope often goes undiagnosed because standard tests like blood work, CT, and MRI usually appear normal. It is a functional neurological disorder, not caused by overt pathology, and involves how the vagus nerve communicates between the brain and vital organs.
Traditional treatments like beta blockers or anti-anxiety medications may mask symptoms but don’t address the root cause. Examining the structure and function of the upper neck can reveal underlying issues contributing to vasovagal syncope and guide more effective treatment.
How does your upper neck affect Vasovagal Syncope
The upper cervical spine specifically C1 and C2 surrounds key nerves, blood vessels, and supportive tissues that influence brain and organ function. The vagus nerve runs alongside these vertebrae, so misalignment or forward head posture from texting or reading can easily irritate it. When mechanical issues at C1 or C2 combine with structural weaknesses, nerve tension can increase and trigger vasovagal syncope. Genetic bone patterns can also play a role, which is why headaches, migraines, and fainting episodes often run in families.
Neck Misalignments and Vagus Nerve Dysfunction
Chiari Malformation
A chiari malformation occurs when the base of the brainstem or cerebellum (balance and coordination center) bulges beneath the rim of your skull and into the space where your spinal canal sits. Think of it like squeezing your foot into a shoe one size too small. You can do it, but it is not comfortable. Neurologically, people with chiari malformation are more likely to experience headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo and also symptoms associated with vagus nerve dysfunction. Of note, head, neck and whiplash injuries and C1-C2 misalignments are major factors that can make a chiari malformation worse. This is one major reason why getting proper treatment for your neck is so important if you know that you have chiari malformation.
Basilar Impression
Basilar impression occurs when the shape of your skull can exert tension along your brainstem. Think of it like a poorly designed road with an exceptionally sharp turn that requires you to slam on your brakes every time you take the turn. Especially when a C1-C2 misalignment occurs, this sharpens the turn even more, which makes it even more likely that you will experience vagus nerve dysfunction.
Eagle’s Syndrome and Ligament Laxity: Causes of Vagus Nerve Compression
Eagle’s Syndrome
Eagle’s syndrome occurs when you have jaw/TMJ dysfunction that creates tension and calcification along the bones and ligaments that travel along the front of your neck. The reason this is so important for people with vasovagal syncope is that elongation of these particular bones PLUS a forward C1-C2 misalignment can literally compress the vagus nerve, sympathetic nerves plus the major arteries and veins that go to your brain.
Ehler’s Danos Syndrome
Ehler’s Danos Syndrome occurs when you have extra stretchiness of your ligaments. As kids, we often refer to this as being “double jointed.” When our ligaments are more elastic, it means that movements of the C1-C2 vertebrae are more likely to lock in the wrong position and produce vagus nerve dysfunction.
What can you do for Vasovagal Syncope?
The Upper Cervical Chiropractic Approach
The Blair technique is a special division of general chiropractic that focuses on the alignment, motion and stability of the atlas vertebra because of its unique relationship with your nervous system, which controls every function in your body.
Unlike general spinal manipulation, there is no twisting, cracking or stretching. The Blair technique is a gentle and precise approach that utilizes a series of physical, neurological and diagnostic tests in order to provide the highest level of personalized healthcare. When your atlas is aligned, your body has the potential to be healthy. However, when it is misaligned, simply put, your brain and body are not able to work as efficiently as they otherwise would. Inevitably, that is when health problems start to occur.
Find out whether the Blair technique could help with your vasovagal syncope. If you’re searching for a Chiropractor in Spokane, visit our home page for more details. To schedule a new patient appointment at our Mead (North Spokane) or South Hill offices, fill out the New Patient Request Form or call 509-315-8166.