Cervical vertigo is a syndrome that causes neck pain, dizziness, and loss of balance. This syndrome is often seen in patients with neck diseases. Dizziness can also be caused by many vestibular and neurological causes.
Therefore, it is especially important to rule out these causes before diagnosing cervical vertigo because the treatment for each condition is different.
In patients with cervical vertigo, the episodic neck pain and loss of balance can be severely debilitating
Cervical vertigo can quickly affect daily activities and quality of life. The condition is characterized by dizziness and neck pain. The vertigo attacks can be so debilitating that the patient cannot drive, work, or maintain a livelihood.
Popular symptoms of cervical vertigo
Cervical vertigo is a condition characterized by dizziness, episodic neck pain, and loss of balance. Each of these symptoms presents quite differently from other forms of vertigo.
The two main symptoms of cervical vertigo are dizziness and neck pain. Other symptoms include disorientation, nausea, and vomiting. The duration of these symptoms can range from a few days to several months or even years.
Here is a list of common symptoms of cervical vertigo:
1. Vertigo
The dizziness in this type of cervical vertigo does not have a spinning sensation that makes the sufferer feel like they are spinning. Instead, they feel like the world around them is floating. An episode of vertigo can last from a few minutes to a few hours. However, this vertigo can be distinguished from other causes because it is not accompanied by fullness in the ear, tinnitus, or hearing loss.
2. Neck pain
Episodic neck pain is a common symptom of cervical vertigo. Neck pain can be triggered by certain head movements, and as a result, many sufferers have a “neck-locked” posture.
3. Disorientation
People with cervical vertigo often feel disoriented. They look and feel unsteady, and are often dizzy. Some people may even be clumsy or seem uncoordinated with their movements.
4. Nausea and vomiting
Continuous dizziness can easily lead to nausea. Nausea and vomiting are not direct symptoms of cervical vertigo, but rather secondary symptoms of vertigo. This means that these symptoms are not caused directly by the vertigo, but rather by the vertigo.
5. Visual symptoms
Visual symptoms such as rapid eye movements and eye strain occur as a result of vertigo because the eyes are constantly trying to adjust to the dizziness.
Strategies for the treatment and prevention of cervical vertigo
1. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment
A core strategy in the treatment of cervical vertigo is to clearly identify the cause. Since vertigo can originate from many sources such as vestibular, central nervous or vascular disorders, ruling out other causes is a necessary first step. Patients should be carefully evaluated by a neurologist, otolaryngologist or spine specialist, and imaging tests such as cervical MRI, computed tomography, or cervical vascular ultrasound may be required.
2. Treatment of underlying cervical spine diseases
Cervical vertigo is often associated with diseases such as cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniation, cervical stenosis or musculoskeletal disorders of the neck. Therefore, treatment of mechanical causes is very important:
- Cervical spine physical therapy: Helps improve flexibility, reduce muscle stiffness and increase blood circulation in the neck.
- Gentle spinal traction: Performed by a physical therapist to relieve pressure on nerve roots or blood vessels in the neck.
- Temporary neck brace: In some acute cases, a soft neck brace may be prescribed for a short time to relieve pressure on the neck.
3. Rehabilitation and balance improvement exercises
An effective long-term treatment strategy is rehabilitation through exercise:
- Balance exercises: Help the brain adapt to the feeling of disorientation caused by the neck, especially useful when the patient frequently loses balance or becomes dizzy when turning the head.
- Correct neck exercises: Increase the strength and flexibility of the neck muscles, reduce stiffness.
- Gentle yoga or Pilates: Helps relax the neck and shoulders, improve circulation.
4. Adjust posture and lifestyle
Incorrect posture when working, sleeping or using the phone can aggravate neck dizziness. Therefore, effective prevention needs to be associated with changing habits:
- Keep a neutral neck posture when working, avoid bending your head for too long.
- Use a suitable pillow when sleeping, not too high or too low.
- Avoid turning your head or tilting your neck suddenly, especially when you just wake up or after sitting for a long time.
- Reduce the time you spend looking at your phone in a bent-neck position.
5. Control stress and sleep quality
Prolonged stress and lack of sleep can strain the neck muscles and increase dizziness symptoms:
- Practice relaxation: Such as meditation, deep breathing, music therapy.
- Ensure adequate sleep: 7–8 hours per night to help the body recover and the nervous system function stably.
7. Long-term monitoring and regular check-ups
Neck dizziness can last for months if not treated thoroughly. Patients need to be monitored for symptom progression, have their treatment plan adjusted if necessary, and receive timely support if there are signs of worsening such as:
- Severe loss of balance.
- Dizziness with weakness, slurred speech, or blurred vision (stroke must be ruled out).
- No improvement after several weeks of treatment.
