Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentOutlook
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Outlook
This article closely examines the causes of cervical vertigo, its potential symptoms, and how it is diagnosed and treated.
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What Causes Cervical Vertigo?
Research into the exact causes of cervical vertigo is ongoing. Researchers theorize that blood circulation problems or faulty nerve connections between the neck and the vestibular apparatus—the part of the inner ear regulating balance—may be the root of the condition.
The primary cervical vertigo symptoms—neck pain anddizziness—often go hand in hand. In one study of over 2,000 patients with neck pain, just over 40% also had dizziness.Though there’s controversy regarding the definition of cervical vertigo, pain in the neck and dizziness are often-reported symptoms.
Researchers have linked the following to cervical vertigo:
Risk Factors
Certain diseases, health conditions, and lifestyle factors raise the risk of cervical vertigo or cause neck pain and dizziness. The most common of these are:
What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Vertigo?
The symptoms of cervical vertigo vary from person to person but generally involve periods of neck pain and vertigo together. If associated with whiplash or a neck injury, they may come on long after the initial injury. Attacks can last a few minutes to several hours and cause a range of symptoms, including:
Causes of Dizziness When Lying Down (and When to Worry)
How Is Cervical Vertigo Diagnosed?
There’s no single test for cervical vertigo, so diagnosis is often a matter of ruling out other potential causes of symptoms. Along with an assessment of medical history and health status,otolaryngologists(ear, nose, and throat doctors, or ENTs),otologists(highly specialized ENTs), or neurologists (brain specialists) rely on a range of tests.
Cervical Vertigo vs. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)A critical step in diagnosis involves distinguishing between cervical vertigo and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Affecting between 10 and 24 of every 10,000 people, BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo symptoms.It causes attacks of dizziness that last 30 seconds to several minutes.
Cervical Vertigo vs. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
A critical step in diagnosis involves distinguishing between cervical vertigo and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Affecting between 10 and 24 of every 10,000 people, BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo symptoms.It causes attacks of dizziness that last 30 seconds to several minutes.
What Is the Treatment for Cervical Vertigo?
The specific approach to cervical vertigo treatment depends on the underlying cause and the individual case. Neurologists, otologists, or other specialists only try more invasive or disruptive methods like surgery if other options, such as physical therapy, haven’t yielded results. Typical treatment options include the following:
Relaxation and Cervical VertigoSince jerky or rapid head movements can trigger cervical vertigo attacks—and anxiety can both accompany and contribute to this condition—incorporating relaxing activities likeyogamay also help. Though they noted more research is needed, researchers found this form of stretching and breathwork effective for neck pain and associated symptoms.
Relaxation and Cervical Vertigo
Since jerky or rapid head movements can trigger cervical vertigo attacks—and anxiety can both accompany and contribute to this condition—incorporating relaxing activities likeyogamay also help. Though they noted more research is needed, researchers found this form of stretching and breathwork effective for neck pain and associated symptoms.
What’s the Outlook for Someone With Cervical Vertigo?
Summary
Neck pain, dizziness, and light-headedness are symptoms of cervical vertigo. These arise due to problems or injuries in the cervical spine, postural issues, and arthritis. Diagnosis involves a range of tests.
Physical therapy, vestibular therapy, and medications are among the treatments for cervical vertigo. If you suspect you experience vertigo, dizziness, or other symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Reiley AS, Vickory FM, Funderburg SE, Cesario RA, Clendaniel RA.How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness.Arch Physiother. 2017;7:12. doi:10.1186/s40945-017-0040-xLi Y, Peng B.Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical vertigo.Pain Phys.2015;18:E583-E5595.Vural M, Karan A, Albayrak Gezer İ, et al.Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: a multi-center, cross-sectional study.Turk J Phys Med Rehabil.2021;67(4):399-408. doi:10.5606/tftrd.2021.7983Cherchi M, DiLiberto FE, Yacovino DA, Das S.The enduring controversy of cervicogenic vertigo, and its place among positional vertigo syndromes.Audiol Res.2021;11(4):491-507. doi:10.3390/audiolres11040045Sung YH.Suboccipital muscles, forward head posture, and cervicogenic dizziness.Medicina(Kaunas). 2022;58(12):1791. doi:10.3390/medicina58121791Al Amin ASM, Rahman A, Ataullah AHM, Lozada-Martinez ID, Ziauddin M, Rahman M.A commonly overlooked cause of vertigo: cervical spondylosis.Int J Surg Open. 2021;35:100370. doi:10.1016/j.ijso.2021.100370You P, Instrum R, Parnes L.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2018;4(1):116-123. doi:10.1002/lio2.230Han BI, Song HS, Kim JS.Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: review of indications, mechanisms, and key exercises.J Clin Neurol. 2011;7(4):184-196. doi:10.3988/jcn.2011.7.4.184Piromchai P, Toumjaidee N, Srirompotong S, Yimtae K.The efficacy of self-exercise in a patient with cervicogenic dizziness: a randomized controlled trial.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1121101. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1121101Li Y, Yang L, Dai C, Peng B.Proprioceptive cervicogenic dizziness: a narrative review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.JCM. 2022;11(21):6293. doi:10.3390/jcm11216293Li Y, Li S, Jiang J, Yuan S.Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(8):e14649. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014649
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Reiley AS, Vickory FM, Funderburg SE, Cesario RA, Clendaniel RA.How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness.Arch Physiother. 2017;7:12. doi:10.1186/s40945-017-0040-xLi Y, Peng B.Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical vertigo.Pain Phys.2015;18:E583-E5595.Vural M, Karan A, Albayrak Gezer İ, et al.Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: a multi-center, cross-sectional study.Turk J Phys Med Rehabil.2021;67(4):399-408. doi:10.5606/tftrd.2021.7983Cherchi M, DiLiberto FE, Yacovino DA, Das S.The enduring controversy of cervicogenic vertigo, and its place among positional vertigo syndromes.Audiol Res.2021;11(4):491-507. doi:10.3390/audiolres11040045Sung YH.Suboccipital muscles, forward head posture, and cervicogenic dizziness.Medicina(Kaunas). 2022;58(12):1791. doi:10.3390/medicina58121791Al Amin ASM, Rahman A, Ataullah AHM, Lozada-Martinez ID, Ziauddin M, Rahman M.A commonly overlooked cause of vertigo: cervical spondylosis.Int J Surg Open. 2021;35:100370. doi:10.1016/j.ijso.2021.100370You P, Instrum R, Parnes L.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2018;4(1):116-123. doi:10.1002/lio2.230Han BI, Song HS, Kim JS.Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: review of indications, mechanisms, and key exercises.J Clin Neurol. 2011;7(4):184-196. doi:10.3988/jcn.2011.7.4.184Piromchai P, Toumjaidee N, Srirompotong S, Yimtae K.The efficacy of self-exercise in a patient with cervicogenic dizziness: a randomized controlled trial.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1121101. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1121101Li Y, Yang L, Dai C, Peng B.Proprioceptive cervicogenic dizziness: a narrative review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.JCM. 2022;11(21):6293. doi:10.3390/jcm11216293Li Y, Li S, Jiang J, Yuan S.Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(8):e14649. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014649
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Reiley AS, Vickory FM, Funderburg SE, Cesario RA, Clendaniel RA.How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness.Arch Physiother. 2017;7:12. doi:10.1186/s40945-017-0040-xLi Y, Peng B.Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical vertigo.Pain Phys.2015;18:E583-E5595.Vural M, Karan A, Albayrak Gezer İ, et al.Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: a multi-center, cross-sectional study.Turk J Phys Med Rehabil.2021;67(4):399-408. doi:10.5606/tftrd.2021.7983Cherchi M, DiLiberto FE, Yacovino DA, Das S.The enduring controversy of cervicogenic vertigo, and its place among positional vertigo syndromes.Audiol Res.2021;11(4):491-507. doi:10.3390/audiolres11040045Sung YH.Suboccipital muscles, forward head posture, and cervicogenic dizziness.Medicina(Kaunas). 2022;58(12):1791. doi:10.3390/medicina58121791Al Amin ASM, Rahman A, Ataullah AHM, Lozada-Martinez ID, Ziauddin M, Rahman M.A commonly overlooked cause of vertigo: cervical spondylosis.Int J Surg Open. 2021;35:100370. doi:10.1016/j.ijso.2021.100370You P, Instrum R, Parnes L.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2018;4(1):116-123. doi:10.1002/lio2.230Han BI, Song HS, Kim JS.Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: review of indications, mechanisms, and key exercises.J Clin Neurol. 2011;7(4):184-196. doi:10.3988/jcn.2011.7.4.184Piromchai P, Toumjaidee N, Srirompotong S, Yimtae K.The efficacy of self-exercise in a patient with cervicogenic dizziness: a randomized controlled trial.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1121101. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1121101Li Y, Yang L, Dai C, Peng B.Proprioceptive cervicogenic dizziness: a narrative review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.JCM. 2022;11(21):6293. doi:10.3390/jcm11216293Li Y, Li S, Jiang J, Yuan S.Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(8):e14649. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014649
Reiley AS, Vickory FM, Funderburg SE, Cesario RA, Clendaniel RA.How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness.Arch Physiother. 2017;7:12. doi:10.1186/s40945-017-0040-x
Li Y, Peng B.Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cervical vertigo.Pain Phys.2015;18:E583-E5595.
Vural M, Karan A, Albayrak Gezer İ, et al.Prevalence, etiology, and biopsychosocial risk factors of cervicogenic dizziness in patients with neck pain: a multi-center, cross-sectional study.Turk J Phys Med Rehabil.2021;67(4):399-408. doi:10.5606/tftrd.2021.7983
Cherchi M, DiLiberto FE, Yacovino DA, Das S.The enduring controversy of cervicogenic vertigo, and its place among positional vertigo syndromes.Audiol Res.2021;11(4):491-507. doi:10.3390/audiolres11040045
Sung YH.Suboccipital muscles, forward head posture, and cervicogenic dizziness.Medicina(Kaunas). 2022;58(12):1791. doi:10.3390/medicina58121791
Al Amin ASM, Rahman A, Ataullah AHM, Lozada-Martinez ID, Ziauddin M, Rahman M.A commonly overlooked cause of vertigo: cervical spondylosis.Int J Surg Open. 2021;35:100370. doi:10.1016/j.ijso.2021.100370
You P, Instrum R, Parnes L.Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2018;4(1):116-123. doi:10.1002/lio2.230
Han BI, Song HS, Kim JS.Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: review of indications, mechanisms, and key exercises.J Clin Neurol. 2011;7(4):184-196. doi:10.3988/jcn.2011.7.4.184
Piromchai P, Toumjaidee N, Srirompotong S, Yimtae K.The efficacy of self-exercise in a patient with cervicogenic dizziness: a randomized controlled trial.Front Neurol. 2023;14:1121101. doi:10.3389/fneur.2023.1121101
Li Y, Yang L, Dai C, Peng B.Proprioceptive cervicogenic dizziness: a narrative review of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.JCM. 2022;11(21):6293. doi:10.3390/jcm11216293
Li Y, Li S, Jiang J, Yuan S.Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(8):e14649. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014649
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