🩺Understanding Cervicogenic Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, and How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Understanding Cervicogenic Vertigo
Cervicogenic vertigo, sometimes called neck-related dizziness, occurs when problems in the cervical spine affect balance and spatial orientation. Unlike inner-ear-related vertigo, cervicogenic vertigo originates from the neck joints, muscles, and nerves that send signals to the brain about head position.
When these signals become distorted due to spinal dysfunction, tension, or injury, your brain receives conflicting information — leading to dizziness, imbalance, or a sense of spinning that doesn’t involve the room moving around you.
Common Causes
Cervicogenic vertigo is often linked to:
- Whiplash injuries or trauma to the neck
- Poor posture from prolonged sitting or tech use
- Cervical spine degeneration or arthritis
- Muscle tension or joint restrictions in the upper neck
- Concussions or head injuries that affect neck alignment
When the neck’s normal movement is disrupted, the nearby nerves and receptors responsible for balance and spatial awareness can send faulty signals — creating dizziness, lightheadedness, or disorientation.
Recognizing the Symptoms
People with cervicogenic vertigo may experience:
- Dizziness or imbalance after neck movement
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Headaches (especially at the base of the skull)
- Visual disturbances or nausea
- Unsteadiness while walking
- Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
These symptoms often worsen with specific neck positions or movements and may appear after an injury, prolonged posture, or physical strain.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal motion, alignment, and nerve function in the cervical spine — addressing the root cause of cervicogenic vertigo rather than just masking the symptoms.
A chiropractor can help by:
- Identifying joint restrictions and correcting them through gentle adjustments
- Improving blood flow to the brainstem and inner ear
- Reducing muscle tension that contributes to nerve irritation
- Enhancing posture and spinal mechanics
- Restoring balance through proprioceptive and vestibular retraining exercises
By improving the communication between your neck, nervous system, and balance centers, chiropractic care can reduce dizziness, stabilize movement, and improve quality of life.
When to Seek Help
If you experience ongoing dizziness, neck pain, or difficulty maintaining balance, don’t ignore the signs. A thorough chiropractic evaluation can help determine if your symptoms stem from cervical dysfunction — and guide you toward safe, natural relief.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re struggling with dizziness or vertigo that seems connected to your neck, chiropractic care may help you find your balance again — literally.
👉 Schedule an appointment today to learn how we can help restore your stability and comfort.
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