Vertigo Home Remedies: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Brings Real Relief

Vertigo can make you feel terrible, like a swirling carnival ride that you can’t get off. If you’ve ever felt like the room was spinning or like you’re moving even when standing still, you know just how unsettling vertigo can be. 

This common condition can make it hard to do even simple tasks like climbing stairs or driving a car. Many people are confined to lying down in bed when an episode of vertigo hits, which is unsustainable if you can’t miss work or family responsibilities. The first thing many people do when they experience such spinning, motion-sickening feelings is to pick up their phones and search for a quick fix. What you might discover is a handful of home remedies that might help. However, it’s essential to understand both the capabilities and limitations of these methods.

If you’re suffering from vertigo, we’re here to help. Below are some of the most common at-home treatments for vertigo, as well as some long-term options to help minimize the recurrence of this disorienting condition. 

Home Remedies for Vertigo: What to Try at Home

When vertigo hits, you’re probably searching for fast relief, especially if you’ve dealt with vertigo before, since it can become a chronic recurring problem. There are a few simple, non-invasive remedies that may help ease symptoms, particularly for certain types of vertigo, like BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).

The Epley Maneuver
Your inner ear contains tiny calcium crystals called otoconia. These crystals help the body maintain balance, but they can also cause vertigo if they become dislodged. This movement is designed to help reposition the otoconia. Many chiropractors and physical/manual therapists can administer the Epley maneuver. A patient should receive a diagnosis of BPPV from a trained healthcare professional before undergoing this procedure.  If effective, many patients are taught how to self-administer the Epley’s maneuver on their own. This technique can be effective for BPPV, although it may not be helpful if your vertigo originates from another source.

Horizon Gazing
If your dizziness is linked to motion, like seasickness or carsickness, focusing on the horizon can help reorient your brain and stop the spinning sensation. This often won’t help with vertigo caused by underlying physiological conditions. 

Slow Head Rotations
Gently rotating your head in different directions can help recalibrate your inner ear signals. You can think of it like restarting a glitchy app on your phone. However, you want to be extra careful not to move your head too quickly, as this can injure the neck.

Hold onto Something Solid
Grabbing a chair, counter, or stable surface helps give your brain steady spatial feedback, which can ground your sense of balance and calm the panic. Again, this is particularly helpful for motion sickness, such as when you’re on a boat experiencing the up-and-down motion of waves.

Neck or Head Massage
Tension in the neck or scalp can aggravate symptoms of vertigo. Light massage increases blood flow and eases muscle strain, both of which may provide some symptom relief. This is especially beneficial if your vertigo is stress-related.

All of these techniques can provide temporary relief and are safe to try at home. But for recurring vertigo or more intense episodes, it’s important to take a deeper look at what’s causing the imbalance.

The Problem with At-Home DIY Vertigo Remedies

Home remedies can be helpful in a pinch, but they often fall short when it comes to long-term relief. One of the biggest challenges with vertigo is that it has many potential causes. A technique that works for one person may have no effect (or even make things worse) for someone else. 

Misdiagnosis is common. You may assume your vertigo is caused by BPPV when it’s actually coming from a neck injury or nerve irritation. Trying the wrong technique will often be ineffective and just result in greater frustration.

Relief is usually temporary. Home remedies may ease symptoms, but they don’t correct the structural imbalances or neurological interference that often underlie chronic vertigo.

There’s no personalized care. Without a thorough exam, there’s no way to know what your body really needs to heal and rebalance. That’s where professional care makes the difference.

Prevent Vertigo with Simple Wellness Habits 

While vertigo can feel like it comes out of nowhere, certain lifestyle habits can actually help you reduce the frequency of these dizzy spells, or at least reduce their intensity. Keep in mind, however, that these prevention strategies won’t fix any underlying issues that exist, but they can go a long way in supporting your overall wellness, so there’s no harm in giving them a try.

Keep Yourself Hydrated
Dehydration affects circulation and blood pressure and these issues can disrupt your sense of balance. Sip water throughout the day, not just when you’re thirsty.

Limit Salt and Caffeine
High sodium intake influences inner ear pressure, especially for those with Meniere’s disease. Caffeine can heighten anxiety and worsen dizziness. Moderation is key for both of these in your food and drink.

Stick to a Regular Sleep Schedule
Poor sleep throws off everything from your nervous system to your sense of spatial awareness. Aim for consistent, high-quality rest.

Avoid Sudden Head Movements
Quick changes in position can aggravate inner ear sensitivity or neck-related vertigo. Move slowly and mindfully, especially when getting out of bed or turning your head. Avoid activities like amusement rides that cause the body to experience sudden movements. 

Manage Stress
Stress tightens muscles, alters breathing, and can trigger or intensify symptoms of vertigo. Try to manage stress by incorporating deep breathing, gentle exercise, and mindfulness practices into your daily routine. They may help you stay grounded, quite literally.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Offers Longer-Lasting Relief from Vertigo

Chronic vertigo can be a sign of an underlying issue, which won’t go away on its own, no matter how many home remedies you try. An imbalance in the joints of the upper neck could be the cause of your recurring vertigo. 

The C1 and C2 vertebrae, which surround the brainstem and upper spinal cord and are located just below the skull, play a crucial role in maintaining balance, posture, and nervous system communication. Since the balance centers in the brain receive positional information from the structures of the upper neck, even a subtle misalignment in this area can disrupt the signals between the brain and body, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and disorientation.

At Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth, we take a targeted approach that focuses on restoring alignment in this critical region. Using precise, gentle corrections (no twisting, cracking, or forceful movements here!), our doctors help bring the body back into balance and relieve pressure on the nerves in this area. The gentle nature of Upper Cervical care, which keeps the head and neck still during the entire adjustment procedure, makes the care extremely comfortable even for someone in the throes of a vertigo attack.

Upper Cervical care has helped many people with vertigo who have either avoided or already attempted traditional chiropractic procedures.

Unlike quick fixes, upper cervical chiropractic addresses the root cause of the problem. When proper alignment is restored, the nervous system can function more effectively, and the body can begin to heal itself naturally. Many patients experience fewer vertigo episodes, better stability, and long-term relief without relying on medication or repeated trial-and-error therapies.

You Deserve More Than Just Temporary Relief from Vertigo

If you suffer from chronic vertigo, you know it doesn’t just affect your balance; it impacts your entire life. Have you had to cancel plans, avoid travel, or sit out family events because you’ve experienced the room spinning? Even just the anxiety of wondering if you’ll have such an episode can be enough to interfere with your day. It’s more than uncomfortable, it’s exhausting, isolating, and deeply frustrating.

But you don’t have to live like that.

At Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Monmouth, many of our patients say the same thing after care: “I just wish I had started sooner.” They’re amazed at the relief and energy they regain once their body is finally able to function the way it was meant to.

If you’ve tried searching for home remedies or relying on medications, with little lasting relief, it’s time to try a more precise and lasting solution. Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step toward getting your life back, with confidence and balance.