Cervical vertigo is a condition that causes both neck pain and dizziness. It is associated with a number of neck conditions. Cervical vertigo can also occur after an injury to the cervical spine. Although in most cases, symptoms do not appear until months or years after the initial injury.
What causes cervical vertigo?
The exact cause of cervical vertigo is unknown. There are a number of possible causes of cervical vertigo. Sometimes the condition stems from physical trauma, while other times it is the result of a health condition that affects the spine. Aging is a potential risk factor, as wear and tear can affect the strength and mobility of the neck and increase the risk of certain health problems.
The most common causes include:
1. Brutal trauma
Sometimes, when your head and neck are jerked forward and backward at high speeds, it can lead to a neck injury. “This is a general term for a post-traumatic neck spasm at a fairly high speed, most commonly after a motor vehicle accident,” says Dr. Baum.
2. Cervical spondylosis
Also known as cervical arthritis, cervical spondylosis is a condition in which the discs and joints in your spine degenerate over time. “The discs, which act as shock absorbers [between the vertebrae], start to lose water and start a degenerative inflammatory chain reaction,” explains Dr. Baum. “What can happen during this process is that you develop bone spurs.” These bone spurs can compress nerves, blood vessels, or even the spinal cord in the neck, sometimes leading to dizziness.
3. Herniated Disc
When the jelly-like middle part of a spinal disc bulges—or herniates—it can push toward the spinal cord. “This can have the same effect [as degenerative disc disease], compressing the spinal cord or spinal nerves,” says Dr. Baum.
4. Poor posture
Over time, hunching over while sitting or bending your neck forward to read can compress the vertebrae at the top of the spine.
Other factors that can lead to cervical vertebral vertebral vertebral vertebral vertebral vertebral stenosis include:
- Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the artery walls, which can restrict blood flow to areas that affect balance
- Neck surgery, if surgery damages that area or nearby blood vessels
- Bow Hunter syndrome (rotational vertebral artery occlusion), a rare compression of a blood vessel in the neck called the vertebral artery
What are effective non-drug treatments for cervical vertebral vertebral vertebral vertebral stenosis?
Treating cervical vertebral artery disease involves addressing the underlying medical condition. Physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation are two effective ways to treat this condition without medication. However, be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions before doing so.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy exercises can help improve your balance and coordination, as well as the range of motion in your neck. A physical therapist can teach you proper posture and stretching exercises to help relieve symptoms. In some cases, your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for spinal and neck manipulation.
It is important to note that physical therapy can improve many of the symptoms of cervical vertigo, but it cannot eliminate the vertigo. For this reason, your healthcare provider may also recommend vestibular rehabilitation.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation includes a number of exercises designed to improve balance and reduce vertigo. These neck vertigo exercises are tailored to your needs and may include training in:
- Eye movements.
- Neck movements.
- Balance.
- Walking.
