Cervical vertigo is a type of vertigo that occurs due to problems in the neck, specifically the cervical spine. When someone has cervical vertigo, they may feel dizzy or feel like the room is spinning. This happens because the neck helps control balance, and when the nerves or muscles in the neck are compressed or irritated, it disrupts the signals sent to the brain, causing dizziness.
What causes cervical vertigo?
Whenever your cervical spine is damaged or injured, dizziness and other symptoms can occur. Common causes may include:
- Neck injury.
- Arthritis (cervical spondylitis).
- Atherosclerosis in the neck.
- Degenerative cervical disc disease.
- Inflammation.
- Poor posture.
- Injured discs.
- Common problems.
- Muscle strain.
What are the common symptoms of cervical vertigo?
Common main symptoms may include:
- Neck pain: Most people with cervical vertigo (94% of patients) experience pain or discomfort in their neck. This is one of the most common signs of the condition.
- Dizziness and loss of balance
- You may feel unsteady, as if you are about to fall, or feel like the world around you is spinning. These symptoms can make it difficult to walk or even turn your head.
- Limited neck movement: It may be difficult to move your neck fully, which can cause dizziness or discomfort.
These symptoms can make everyday activities like walking, turning your head, or looking around difficult. Recognizing these signs can help you understand the cause of your discomfort and get the right treatment.
How can cervical vertigo be controlled?
Cervical vertigo can often be controlled without surgery. Start by seeing your health care provider, who can begin by treating any underlying health issues and/or prescribing medications to relieve symptoms.
Another commonly recommended treatment for cervical vertigo is exercise, starting with cardiovascular exercise.
- Aerobic exercise is important and easy to do on your own. Activities like walking, running, cycling, or swimming can reduce inflammation and pain, although breaking a sweat is important. Aerobic exercise is really about getting your heart rate into the aerobic zone for at least 15 to 30 minutes at a time, at least three to five times a week. That’s really where you’ll start to see the biggest benefits.
- Strength and balance exercises can also help relieve symptoms. Yoga, Pilates, and tai chi are recommended because they have mindfulness and breathing components as well as proven benefits for pain relief. However, you have to be consistent, as these are the types of exercises that you don’t just do once and see results, you have to put in consistent effort over several weeks to really see the benefits.
- Physical therapy is also often recommended to strengthen, improve posture, and improve neck mobility. Manual therapy, where a therapist manipulates your muscles and joints with their hands, has been shown to be particularly helpful in studies.
- Massage and acupuncture, massage can also be beneficial for neck pain, and don’t overlook acupuncture either. Acupuncture has been shown to be beneficial for neck pain as well as for treating vertigo, whether it’s cervical or cranial.
