Motion Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, and Chiropractic Care for Relief

Motion sickness, characterized by dizziness, nausea, and disorientation, can turn travel or daily activities into a challenging experience. Often caused by imbalances in the inner ear or nervous system, motion sickness can affect people of all ages. At Peak Chiropractic, we provide personalized care to address the root causes of motion sickness. By improving spinal alignment and supporting your nervous system, we aim to help you find lasting relief and enjoy life without the limitations of motion sickness.

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Illustration showing the vestibular system in the inner ear and its connection to balance.

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when there’s a mismatch between the signals your inner ear, eyes, and body send to your brain about movement. This sensory conflict can confuse the brain, resulting in symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Motion sickness most commonly occurs during travel by car, plane, boat, or amusement rides but can also be triggered by certain visual stimuli, such as watching a 3D movie or playing video games.

While motion sickness is usually temporary, chronic or recurring episodes can significantly affect quality of life, making routine activities or travel difficult. Understanding the underlying causes of motion sickness is the first step toward effective relief.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation. When this system becomes overstimulated or its signals conflict with visual or physical cues, motion sickness symptoms can occur. Common causes include:

  • Travel: Sudden, repetitive motion, such as driving on winding roads or turbulence on a plane, can confuse the brain’s perception of movement.
  • Inner Ear Imbalances: Conditions affecting the inner ear, such as vestibular disorders, can contribute to motion sickness.
  • Spinal Misalignments: Misalignments in the cervical spine can disrupt nerve communication and balance, exacerbating motion sickness.
  • Visual Stimulation: Watching fast-moving objects, screens, or scenes with rapid motion can overwhelm the sensory system.
  • Stress and Fatigue: Physical or emotional stress can heighten sensitivity to motion, making symptoms worse.

By addressing these root causes, chiropractic care offers a natural, drug-free solution for reducing motion sickness and improving balance.

The Impact of Motion Sickness on Daily Life

Motion sickness isn’t just uncomfortable—it can interfere with daily activities, family outings, and even work-related travel. People with frequent motion sickness often avoid situations that trigger symptoms, which can limit opportunities and experiences. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring balance to the nervous system, offering relief from symptoms and empowering you to live without restrictions.

A chiropractor performing a cervical spine adjustment to help relieve motion sickness symptoms.

Symptoms of Motion Sickness

Motion sickness symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe nausea and dizziness, often appearing quickly during travel or exposure to triggering environments. Common symptoms include:

  • Nausea and Vomiting: A feeling of queasiness or stomach upset, often accompanied by the urge to vomit.
  • Dizziness: A sensation of spinning or unsteadiness, sometimes described as lightheadedness.
  • Sweating: Excessive sweating, often accompanied by clammy skin or a sense of overheating.
  • Headaches: Pressure or pain in the head, which may worsen with movement or visual stimuli.
  • Fatigue: A sense of exhaustion or difficulty concentrating, even after symptoms subside.
  • Disorientation: Difficulty focusing or feeling mentally "off" due to the mismatch in sensory input.
  • Pale Skin: A loss of color in the face, often associated with nausea and discomfort.

Long-Term Effects of Motion Sickness

Chronic motion sickness can lead to anxiety about travel or other triggering activities, causing individuals to avoid these situations altogether. This avoidance can limit personal, social, and professional opportunities. Left untreated, motion sickness can also worsen over time, particularly if it’s linked to an underlying vestibular or neurological issue. Chiropractic care helps address these root causes to reduce symptoms and improve long-term quality of life.

A patient feeling confident and relaxed after chiropractic care for motion sickness at Peak Chiropractic.

Chiropractic Care for Motion Sickness at Peak Chiropractic

At Peak Chiropractic, we understand how debilitating motion sickness can be and how it impacts your ability to enjoy life. Our approach focuses on restoring balance in the nervous system and improving the function of the vestibular system through precise, non-invasive care.

How We Treat Motion Sickness

  • Comprehensive Evaluation: We begin by assessing your spine and nervous system, focusing on areas of misalignment or dysfunction that may contribute to motion sickness.
  • Targeted Spinal Adjustments: Gentle adjustments, particularly in the cervical spine, help realign the vertebrae, improve nerve communication, and support vestibular system health.
  • Balance and Postural Exercises: We provide personalized exercises to strengthen the vestibular system, improve coordination, and enhance balance.
  • Lifestyle Guidance: Recommendations on hydration, nutrition, and stress management can further reduce symptoms and support overall wellness.
  • Ongoing Care: Regular visits ensure that progress is tracked and care plans are adjusted as needed to meet your specific goals.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Motion Sickness

  • Reduced frequency and intensity of symptoms like nausea and dizziness
  • Improved balance and coordination
  • Enhanced nervous system function
  • A natural, drug-free approach to symptom relief
  • Increased confidence to engage in travel and daily activities

Whether you’re struggling with occasional motion sickness or chronic episodes, Peak Chiropractic offers solutions that work with your body to promote lasting relief. Let us help you restore balance and reclaim your freedom to enjoy life.

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Dr Kyara Finney of Peak Chiropractic in Boise, Idaho directs her patient over to the 3D CBCT machine for an upper cervical appointment for a wide range of symptoms and conditions.
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Upper Cervical Chiropractic (UCC) is a highly effective technique that can provide relief for a wide range of symptoms. Research and case studies have shown the positive impact of UCC on conditions such as migraines, vertigo, fibromyalgia, and post-concussion syndrome.

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3 Reviews

Oct 23, 2023
Doctors Jon and Kyara are very caring and capable providers of better health to all regardless of age.
Peak Chiropractic is amazing! Doctors Jon and Kyara are very caring and capable providers of better health to all regardless of age. I highly recommend Peak Chiropractic after how they have noticeably improved my health after following their treatment plan!
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Rick D.

Meridian, ID

May 16, 2024
I was quite impressed with the technology used to assess my neck and spine.
I started my care with Peak back in mid February. I had never heard of a cervical chiropractor, until my daughter convinced me to try it. I had been dealing with shoulder/neck pain periodically, off and on, never quite getting rid of it. My last experience with a chiropractor left me injured and not feeling very confident about ever using chiropractic care again. Upon beginning my care with Peak, I began to see that this was different then anything i had ever heard of before. I was quite impressed with the technology used to assess my neck and spine. I began my adjustments, and was informed I would go through a detox with my body. Some weeks I was feeling great, and some weeks i definitely was feeling more pain. After about four weeks of regular adjustments, I probably had my worst week of pain! The following week was my best week, in fact, I didn’t even need to be adjusted. I am excited to continue my care with Dr. John and Dr. Kyara! As time moves forward, I am seeing more and more improvement. My body is beginning to recover on its own when i have been through excess stress or exertion. Before, my body was “stuck” in pain, and now it’s beginning to bounce back on its own. Dr John and Dr Kyara are both very kind, compassionate professionals. If you are on the fence about jumping in to cervical chiropractic care, take the plunge! The only thing you have to lose is your pain and discomfort!
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Kim N.

Garden City, ID

May 17, 2024
I have had more energy, less pain in all areas of my body, and I've been sleeping like a baby.
I truly don't know where to begin. I had never heard of upper cervical chiropractic care prior to meeting Dr. John and Dr. Kyara. However, I had been going to a chiropractor every two weeks for the last 18 years for "pain management". Over time, my body started to expect an adjustment right at that two week mark and the pain in my back, neck, and jaw became unbearable, even a few days before my regularly scheduled adjustment. I have always trusted chiropractic care, but one twisted neck adjustment left me with a long lasting clicking in my neck and the consistency of my symptoms left me feeling defeated, especially when the vertigo kicked in. I had no energy to get through even the slightest daily activities and I became frustrated at the thought of how much time and money I have spent to only receive such temporary relief. When I walked into Peak chiropractic, I was warmly welcomed by both doctors and was given a tour of the facility, where Dr. John showed me all of the technological recourses they would use to access my spine. The doctors took the time to educate me on EVERYTHING I was to expect in my healing journey and what to do to allow my body to hold the adjustments and heal itself. To my surprise, upper cervical care doesn't involve the twisting and cracking that causes more symptoms than what I came in with. In fact, I could expect to pain free in just a few short weeks (what a relief)! How is that possible you might ask? Trust me, I didn't believe it either. I was told that the misalignment in the top two bones of my spine were likely the cause of all the symptoms I had been experiencing since I was a kid. We immediately got to work and after only one adjustment, I felt like my body was able hold its adjustment longer than it has ever before. Mind you, I am still going through my program with Peak Chiropractic, but after this last adjustment, that consistent clicking in my neck that has never been absent before, left for the very first time. Even after these very few weeks, I have had more energy, less pain in all areas of my body, and I've been sleeping like a baby. I just wanted to scream it from the rooftops! For the first time in 18 years, I am feeling hopeful. I wish everyone knew about upper cervical care, so if you are someone who experiences similar symptoms, please go see Dr. John and Dr. Kyara. I promise your life is going to change. Mine definitely has!
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Seth N.

Eagle, ID

Boise Peak Chiropractic

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