In the Vestibular Disorders Association, the classification of dizziness is “cervicogenic dizziness”, or dizziness resulting from neck pain. Some reports link the influence of head position on equilibrium as far back as the mid-1800s. It wasn’t until 1955 that researchers coined the term “cervical vertigo.” It describes a clinical condition relating neck pain and/or injury to dizziness and disequilibrium. These days, cervicogenic dizziness (CD) is the more accurate diagnosis for this syndrome.
There’s a number of neck-related diagnoses that can cause dizziness or disorientation. These can include cervical spondylosis (spurs), cervical trauma (like whiplash), and cervical arthritis (osteoarthritis).
Unfortunately, there isn’t a “gold-standard” test to confirm or rule out that the neck is the cause of someone’s dizziness. Physical examinations in a chiropractic clinic will seek to eliminate other causes of dizziness. Inner ear dysfunction (labyrinthitis or vestibular dysfunction) and/or other nervous system problems can be a few causes. Chiropractors will also examine your eyes by carefully looking for oscillating eye motion in six different positions of end-range gaze. The diagnosis of CD is made once all other causes of dizziness have been ruled out.
Symptoms of Cervicogenic Dizziness
Most symptoms of CD usually occur after the onset of neck pain. They’re often described as a sensation of movement that worsens with head movement or after a prolonged time in one position. This dizziness can last minutes to hours. The general sensation of imbalance occurs with head movement and/or with movement in the environment. Looking out of a window of a fast-moving train, plane, or vehicle is an example. Headache may accompany dizziness and neck pain. Generally, as neck pain reduces so does the dizziness.
CD can result from trauma such as whiplash or head injury. Treatment aimed at resolving the patient’s neck pain will usually resolve their symptoms of dizziness as well.
