Cervical Vertigo, which is also known as cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) or cervicogenic vertigo, is a condition related to the neck, or the upper cervical region of the spine. The condition itself makes a person feel dizzy, as if their surroundings are spinning.
In other words, cervical vertigo is dizziness that originates from the cervical area of the spine. Vertigo itself is another term for dizziness. Cervical Vertigo occurs from a particular neck movement or poor posture.
Cervical Vertigo often throws off a person’s centre point and balance due to the dizziness and problem in the inner ear. The primary reason for the dizziness lies in the neck. Neck pain and dizziness go hand-in-hand.
Treatment for this condition is varied and can be done by going through muscular issues. As always, the best course of action is to try a natural form of treatment first, such as using the Backrack, to decompress the affected area.
Apart from that, we can also prevent this condition through several steps, which will be outlined later in this article.
Causes
There are quite a few causes that can lead to vertigo that originates from the cervical spine. Although cervical Vertigo is most often caused by poor neck posture, neck disorders, or trauma received to the cervical spine, there may be other factors as well. You can find more complex issues that may lead to the occurrence of this type of dizziness below:
- Vertebral arteries that are blocked or have hardened or torn. Dizziness symptoms themselves are caused by a disruption in blood flow either to the lower brain region, called the stem, or a disruption in blood flow to the lower ear area.
- Cervical spondylosis is a neck condition that may also cause neck-related dizziness. This condition causes the disks situated in your vertebrae to wear out, which is known as degeneration. Your blood flow can be blocked to the inner ear as well as the brain, due to the pressure on the spinal cord.
- Herniated Disc. Sometimes the disc situated in the vertebrae of our spine slips out of position. This usually happens in the lower portion of the back but could happen anywhere in the spine. The slipped disc may build pressure on a nerve or artery and cause cervical Vertigo.
- Poor Posture. Over time, poor posture may cause the spine to compress or cause various other issues. Frequently bending of the neck over desks or electronic devices contribute to cervical Vertigo. It is best to keep a straight posture and keep in check symptoms.
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash injuries
Because the causes for cervical Vertigo are many, they are still being researched.
Symptoms
Although symptoms may vary from person to person, there are generally some common signs that indicate that cervical dizziness is the cause. Below are some of the symptoms that are part of this medical condition:
- Feeling like the room is spinning
- Headache or cervical pain
- Nausea may be present in some cases as well
- Pain or ringing in the ear or in both ears
- Abnormal movement of the eyes, also referred to as nystagmus
Diagnosis, Prognosis, Treatment & Prevention
It is always advised to seek medical help and not to attempt to self-diagnose cervical vertigo. Talk to your physician about the symptoms you are experiencing, so that they can be investigated.
Your doctor shall first perform a physical examination, where he/she is going to examine the affected area. If a cause for concern is detected, you may be referred to have further tests to obtain a diagnosis of exclusion. This allows your doctor to rule out any other possible health condition that may be causing you the same symptoms, such as vestibular disorders (such as Ménière’s Disease), Bow Hunter’s syndrome or other pain syndromes.
When it comes to treatment, there are a variety of options available, depending on the severity of your condition. However, as with any other health condition, it is advised that you start with the least invasive method first and work your way up from there. Here are a few treatment options available for cervical vertigo:
- Over-the-counter medication that combats dizziness in the short term. Long-term use of this type of treatment is not recommended as it usually comes packed with side effects, and the benefits will fade over time
- Physiotherapy, which is a natural method that is free of side effects and can also provide pain relief in the long term.
- Using a spinal decompression device, that helps not only treat cervical vertigo, but also helps prevent it from returning
To build from the previous point that physical therapy can work wonders for vertigo, here is a great device that can help enhance the effects of your treatment.
To treat and prevent postural disorders, herniated disc, or any other spinal condition, the “Backrack Spinal Care Device” works very well.
Have a look at the video below to see how the device works by massaging the inner tissues of your cervical spine.
Backrack Spinal Decompression Device
Treatment for cervical vertigo is usually simple and straightforward. Fortunately, the same applies to preventing it from reoccurring. Below you can find a few suggestions on how to keep this medical condition at bay and to prevent it from coming back in the future:
- Posture exercises help prevent and tackle this condition. Exercising will assist you in developing a range of motion, create space in the neck, and build muscle strength. This will reduce tension in the region and lessen symptoms.
- Muscle exercising plays a significant role in helping prevent such conditions. It would help keep the neck muscles active and keep the weight off the cervical discs, which would reduce pressure in the area.
- Keep in check your posture while sitting by keeping the spine aligned with your head and shoulders. Good posture would help you avoid pressure on the neck and damage of silicate structures.
- Relax the area by getting massages and regular neck stretches. Applying warm compresses on the area would also help to relax the tension.
A final takeaway to be taken from here is that although methods that help with general dizziness may temporarily help in the case of cervical vertigo as well, the latter medical condition has some unique features, including unique triggers, and may require specialized treatment.
