Blog
Understanding Vertical Heterophoria and Its Causes: A Guide from Your Upper Cervical Chiropractor
What is Vertical Heterophoria?
Vertical heterophoria is a type of binocular vision dysfunction where the eyes have a tendency to misalign vertically. This misalignment can cause the brain to overwork to correct the discrepancy, leading to symptoms such as:
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Headaches, particularly around the forehead and temples
- Eye strain and discomfort
- Nausea
- Balance problems
These symptoms can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to perform routine activities comfortably and efficiently.
Causes of Vertical Heterophoria
While there are several potential causes of vertical heterophoria, we will focus on the three primary physical factors:
1. Misalignment in the Upper Cervical Spine
The upper cervical spine, consisting of the atlas (C1), Axis (C2) and C3 vertebrae , plays a crucial role in maintaining proper head and neck alignment. Misalignments in this area can lead to nerve interference and poor blood flow, particularly affecting the vertebral arteries that supply blood to the brain. Such disruptions can contribute to the symptoms of vertical heterophoria by affecting the visual and vestibular systems
2. Misalignment of the Hips and Legs
The alignment of the hips and legs is fundamental to maintaining overall body balance and posture. When the Pelvic girdle misaligns, it can lead to compensatory changes in posture, which can affect the position and function of the spine, including the cervical region at the top of your body and the length of your legs at the bottom of your body. This cascading effect can influence eye alignment and contribute to the development of vertical heterophoria.
3. Incorrect Footwear Affecting Gait
Footwear plays a significant role in maintaining proper gait and posture. Shoes that do not provide adequate support or that alter the natural alignment of the feet can lead to improper gait mechanics. Over time, this can cause misalignments in the lower body that travel up through the hips and spine, potentially affecting the upper cervical region and leading to issues such as vertical heterophoria.
Prism Glasses: A Temporary Fix
Many people with vertical heterophoria turn to prism glasses for quick relief. Prism glasses work by bending light before it reaches the eyes, helping to align the images seen by each eye and thus reducing the strain on the visual system. While prism glasses can provide immediate symptom relief, they do not address the underlying cause of the vertical heterophoria.
Over time, the brain adapts to the prism lenses, and their effectiveness can diminish. As the brain becomes less efficient in compensating for the vertical misalignment, the severity of vertical heterophoria can actually increase. This can lead to a dependency on stronger prisms and a cycle of worsening symptoms.
Chiropractic Care for Vertical Heterophoria
As an upper cervical chiropractor, I focus on correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine to restore proper nerve function and blood flow. Here's how chiropractic care can help:
1. Correction of Cervical Spine Misalignments
By precisely adjusting the atlas and axis vertebrae, we can alleviate pressure on the nerves and improve blood flow through the vertebral arteries. This helps to reduce the symptoms of vertical heterophoria by ensuring that the visual and vestibular systems function correctly.
2. Addressing Misalignments in the Hips and Legs
Upper cervical chiropractors also evaluate and correct misalignments in the hips and legs. By ensuring that the lower body is properly aligned, we can prevent compensatory changes in posture that could affect the cervical spine and contribute to vertical heterophoria.
3. Incorrect Footwear Affecting Gait
Footwear plays a significant role in maintaining proper gait and posture. Shoes that do not provide adequate support or that alter the natural alignment of the feet can lead to improper gait mechanics. Over time, this can cause misalignments in the lower body that travel up through the hips and spine, potentially affecting the upper cervical region and leading to issues such as vertical heterophoria.
4. Recommendations for Footwear and Gait
We provide advice on choosing the right footwear to support proper gait and posture. Wearing shoes that offer adequate support and align with your natural foot mechanics can prevent misalignments from occurring in the first place. Additionally, we may recommend orthotics for those who need extra support.
Additional Tips for Managing Vertical Heterophoria
In addition to chiropractic adjustments, here are some tips to help manage vertical heterophoria:
1. Use a Cervical Pillow
A cervical pillow can help maintain proper neck alignment while you sleep, reducing the risk of cervical spine misalignments.
2. Choose Correct Footwear
Select shoes that offer good arch support and fit well. Avoid high heels and shoes that alter your natural walking pattern.
3. Regular Chiropractic Check-Ups
Regular visits to your upper cervical chiropractor can help maintain spinal and postural health to prevent the recurrence of misalignments.
Conclusion:
If you have been diagnosed with Vertical Heterophoria or are struggling with the symptoms mentioned above then get into contact with us today, to make your first step towards alignment.
I am here to help, let's talk
Click the button to get in touch with me