Mal De Barquement Syndrome

A form of dizziness that makes you feel like you are on a ship moving back and forth. HEAD AND NECK MISALIGNMENT IS THE MOST COMMONLY OVERLOOKED CAUSE OF MAL DE BARQUEMENT SYNDROME?

Mal De Barquement Syndrome (Dizziness) in Boise Idaho

Is There A Connection Between Head and Neck Injuries and Dizziness?

What is Mal De Barquement Syndrome?

Put simply Mal De Barquement syndrome is a vestibular disorder that results in a form of dizziness that feels like you’re permanently on a ship in that you have a sustained sensation of motion, commonly described as a rocking or swaying feeling. This sensation commonly occurs with people that have been on a ship for a period of time and when they get off the ship they will feel a sensation of motion for a short period of time, however with Mal De Barquement syndrome that sensation of motion does not go away. The minimum time frame to diagnose Mal De Barquement Syndrome according to the medical literature is 1 month of sustained symptoms.

It should also be noted that the symptoms can come and go which leaves us with a condition that sounds very similar to a vestibular disorder known as dizziness.

Also it should be pointed out that many patients that suffer from Mal De Barquement syndrome are prone to headaches and in particular migraine type headaches.

How is Mal De Barquement Syndrome Treated?

The most common type of medical treatment offered is drug therapy. Drugs are dangerous and only work temporarily for a few hours until your body clears the toxin from your system, and at which time you will be directed to take in more toxic substance. Please note drugs should only be used on a short term basis as long term use of drugs will damage and destroy your body’s de-toxification organs over time. Drugs like meclizine, scopolamine, benzodiazepines, and amitryptyline are the most common.

All Mal De Barquement syndrome cases we have seen have one thing in common, a previous injury to the neck prior to the onset of symptoms. The average length of time from the date of the neck injury to the onset of symptoms is 10-15 years, with the most common type of injury being a whiplash type injury such as a car wreck, slip or fall, or sports injury. Another big clue to this syndrome is that many patients also experience headaches and as we mentioned before in particular migraine headaches. This is a strong indicator of a neck problem.

Non-invasive Treatment for Mal De Barquement Syndrome

The number one thing we would recommend for patients that suffer from Mal De Barquement Syndrome is get your neck evaluated by an Upper Cervical Chiropractic Specialist. They have the training required to evaluate your neck for the condition known as Atlas Subluxation Complex or Subluxation for short. Briefly Atlas Subluxation Complex is a previous injury to the neck that resulted in damage to the connective tissues that allows the upper two neck bones to misalign and lock out into a stressed position, creating an interference where the head and neck meet, resulting in a form of brain congestion. Headaches, vertigo, dizziness, migraines are very common symptoms of subluxation that develop over time. And likewise the non-invasive treatment of choice is Upper Cervical Chiropractic care for the correction of the Atlas Subluxation Complex.

A Few Selected Refferences:

1. Cha YH, Brodsky J, Ishiyama G, Sabatti C, Baloh RW. “Clinical features and associated syndromes of mal de debarquement.” Journal of Neurology. 2008;255:1038-1044.
2. Zimbelman JL, Walton TM. “Vestibular rehabilitation of a patient with persistent mal de debarquement.” Physical Therapy Case Reports. 1999;2:129-138. – See more at: http://vestibular.org/mal-de-debarquement#sthash.kN3DUhUl.dpuf
3. Orthospinology Procedures – An Evidence-Based Approach to Spinal Care, K. Eriksen, R.P. Rochester, Lippincott Williams 2007.
4. Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex – A Review of the Chiropractic and Medical Literature, K. Eriksen, Lippincott Williams 2004.
5. Palmer BJ. The Subluxation Specific – The Adjustment Specific. Davenport Iowa 1934.
6. Palmer BJ. Chiropractic Clinical Controlled Research. Davenport Iowa 1951.