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Treatment for Cervicogenic Dizziness

What is Cervicogenic dizziness?

Cervicogenic dizziness, also known as cervical vertigo, is a neck-related condition, where an individual feels like he/she is spinning, or the environment around them is spinning. It is often caused by poor neck posture when sleeping, working or relaxing, neck disorders, cervical spine trauma, or an injury which affects neck and head alignment, or whiplash.

Cervicogenic dizziness and Cervicogenic headache

Cervicogenic headache and cervicogenic dizziness are closely related terms, often resulting from poor neck postures, or head injuries that cause a disorder in the alignment of the neck, as well as the cervical spine and its elements. They are conditions resulting from the poor positioning of the neck, or head/neck related injuries, which often occur in tandem, and can be treated by dealing with the underlying causes.

What are the symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness?

The major symptom associated with cervical vertigo is dizziness, as a result of sudden movement of the head. Other symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Ringing or pain in the ear.
  • Neck pain.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Loss of balance when walking or standing.
  • Feeling of weakness.

Causes of cervicogenic dizziness

A number of potential causes exist for cervicogenic dizziness. It can be caused by blockage of the arteries in the neck (atherosclerosis), as a result of hardening or tearing of the arteries (dissection). In this case, the dizziness is as a result of an interruption in the flow of blood to the inner ear, or the lower brain region (brain stem). Blood flow to these important regions can also be interrupted by arthritis, trauma to the neck, or surgery, which can cause cervicogenic dizziness.

Cervical spondylosis (advanced neck osteoarthritis), can also cause cervicogenic dizziness. This condition causes wear and tear in the vertebrae, and neck discs over time. This condition is called degeneration, and it puts pressure on the spinal nerves and spinal cords, disrupting blood flow to the inner ear, and brain region. This can also happen without spondylosis, through the occurrence of a slipped disc (herniated). If the receptors responsible for balance, by sending signals about head orientation and movements to the brain and vestibular apparatus, or parts of the inner ear is interrupted, and can’t communicate with the brain, dizziness and other sensory dysfunctions can be experienced.

How is cervicogenic dizziness diagnosed?

The diagnosis of cervicogenic dizziness can be a difficult process.   It involves a first step, where the doctor eliminates other causes of the dizziness, with similar symptoms which includes: benign positional vertigo, central vertigo, and psychogenic vertigo. Once these causes are out of the way, the doctor moves on with a physical examination, which involves turning the head and observing eye movements.

Additional methods of diagnosis include:

  • An MRI neck scan.
  • An MRA (magnetic resonance angiography).
  • A vertebra Doppler ultrasound.
  • A flexion extension x-ray of the cervical spine.

How is Cervicogenic dizziness treated?

There are several methods to get rid of a cervicogenic headache or reduce the pain significantly, and they include:

  • Medicine: The use of non-steroidal muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatories, and other pain relievers.
  • Nerve block method, which will reduce the pain temporarily, and help you respond better to physical therapy.
  • Physical therapy, such as stretches and exercises, can help ease the pain.
  • Spinal manipulation: This is a complex method, involving the use of physical therapy massage, and movement of the joint. Ideally, this method should only be carried out by a physical therapist, a chiropractor, or an osteopath.
  • Surgery: If you experience severe pain from CH, an operation may be suggested by your doctor, to prevent your nerves from getting squeezed.
  • Other methods include non-surgical pain relief methods, such as relaxation, yoga and deep breathing.

Cervicogenic Dizziness FAQ’s

Can cervicogenic headache be a sign of a brain tumor?
It is important to pay attention to all signs of dizziness because, along with other factors, they could be as a result of more serious underlying problems. If you experience health issues, relating to severe sessions of dizziness or vertigo, you should see your doctor. Although, if you have a brain tumor, you will experience some other symptoms.
Can degenerative discs in your neck cause cervicogenic dizziness?
Cervical spondylosis, also known as advanced neck osteoarthritis, can be associated with a potential cause of dizziness, resulting from neck related issues. This condition results in the wear and tear of the vertebrae, over time. It is known as degeneration, and it blocks blood flow to the brain and inner ear, by putting pressure on the spinal nerves and spinal cord.
Can neck problems make you feel dizzy?
A severe headache, coupled with neck pain and dizziness, can result from a damaged facet joint. This is commonly treated by injecting the upper-neck facet joint with platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

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