Did you know that the causes of dizziness are often cervical spine related?

Author Krisztina Tatai | 2018.10.20.

However, before we rush to the nearest physiotherapist with a complaint, it is important to clarify the underlying causes, as dizziness can be a symptom of many other conditions. Krisztina Tatai physiotherapist-physiotherapist helps you find your way around and explain the context.

Investigating dizziness

Unfortunately, in the case of dizziness, there is still no clear method for diagnosing the cervical origin, so it is essential to have a medical examination to rule out other causes before starting treatment. It may require the involvement of several disciplines, so investigations can take months. A neurological reasons, or the orthopaedic In addition to these changes, we must also think about the disease or changes in the organ responsible for regulating balance (semicircular canals), but we must also exclude cardiological diseases, side effects of medication, diabetes and, of course, psychological factors.

What is the link between neck and dizziness?

The our receptors responsible for position sensing (proprioceptors) a significant part of the cervical spine in the small joints and surrounding soft tissues (in muscles, ligaments) located at. Their role is to transmit information about the position of the head to the central nervous system. If our neck posture is altered by a direct force (e.g. whiplash syndrome), muscle weakness, instability, disc herniation or a disease of abrasive origin, the tension in the muscles, ligaments and joint capsule is altered. This can lead to an incorrect sense of position, which can lead to dizziness.

Typical symptoms of cervical vertigo include:

• Intermittent appearance, which can last from a few minutes to hours
• Feeling of insecurity
• Cervical spine pain, neck movement provokes the symptom
• Blurred vision, nausea
• Frequent ringing in the ears
• Cervical spine treatment reduces symptoms
• Postural abnormality (e.g. straightened cervical lordosis)

How can a manual therapist help?

It even prevents cervical spine treatment a whole-body musculoskeletal assessment, because muscle imbalances in the cervical spine are often caused by disorders of the lower spine or even asymmetric positioning of the pelvis. During the examination, the therapist assesses the patient's posture, muscle strength, stretchability, the position of the bony formations and the active and passive ranges of motion between the vertebrae (looking for blocked or overactive segments). During the treatment, we not only release the intervertebral blocks, but also restore the correct muscle balance by relaxing tight muscles and strengthening weak ones, while maintaining the improvement achieved through an individualised exercise programme.

When is manual therapy not recommended?

• Speech disorder
• General weakness
• Double vision
• Vomiting, nausea
• Nystagmus (eye strain)
• Basilar insufficiency (VBI)

In case of such symptoms neurologist specialist can help you.