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Is your neck causing your dizziness? How to test and fix it (physio)
Written by Janne SakkinenOMT & Occupational Health Physiotherapist, University InstructorPublished 2024-05-03
In short
Janne explains how the cervical spine's proprioceptive system contributes to balance, describes clinical tests used to identify cervicogenic dizziness versus benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, lists red-flag symptoms, and outlines the physiotherapy approach.
Clinical keywords#Is your neck causing your dizziness? How to test and fix it (physio)#Spine, joint & pelvic floor#OMT Physical Therapist Janne Sakkinen#TMJ Disorders#Bruxism#Jaw Pain
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Full video transcript & clinical text
3 paragraphsDizziness is a really common symptom in clinical practice, and there is a wide variety of reasons behind it, such as issues with the cervical spine. How exactly can the cervical spine cause dizziness, and what should be done about this challenge? If you're interested in the topic, this is definitely the video for you.
Let's start with the basics of balance. When it comes to maintaining posture we need a lot of information from our eyes, the balance organs in our ears, and the proprioceptive structures in our body. Through this information the brain forms a picture of how and where we are in space.
The seven vertebrae of the cervical spine are supported by a highly sophisticated network of muscles and tendons working in harmony to provide support and facilitate movement. Particularly the suboccipital muscles, located right at the upper neck area, contain an incredibly high number of different receptors compared to, for example, low back muscles. These receptors provide the brain with information about things like joint angles, range of motion of the muscles, and amount of muscle strength, which is then combined with information received from the eyes and the balance organs in our ears. When everything is working properly, we can maintain good balance, posture and coordinate movements. However, if the receptors continuously provide abnormal information, then the brain's interpretation of how we are positioned in space may start to change. ---
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: What clinical topics are covered in "Is your neck causing your dizziness? How to test and fix it (physio)"?
Janne explains how the cervical spine's proprioceptive system contributes to balance, describes clinical tests used to identify cervicogenic dizziness versus benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, lists red-flag symptoms, and outlines the physiotherapy approach.
Q: How are the instructions in "Is your neck causing your dizziness? How to test and fix it (physio)" applied to cervical and musculoskeletal rehabilitation?
The video demonstrates specific movement patterns and clinical exercise progressions: Dizziness is a really common symptom in clinical practice, and there is a wide variety of reasons behind it, such as issues with the cervical spine. How exactly can the cervical spine cause dizziness, and what should be...
Q: When should you seek an OMT physical therapy consultation for symptoms related to this topic?
If symptoms relating to "Is your neck causing your dizziness? How to test and fix it (physio)" persist for more than 1–2 weeks, interfere with sleep or daily function, an in-person OMT evaluation is recommended to identify the root cause and ensure proper rehabilitation.
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Get free PDF guides (Google Drive)Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this article is strictly for educational purposes and does not replace a clinical physical therapy evaluation, medical diagnosis, or individualized treatment plan.