7 Essential Cervicogenic Vertigo Facts Every DC Must Own
Reading time: 5 minutes
Neck pain and vertigo are common co-morbidities. One recent study of 2,361 patients concluded that up to 40% of neck pain patients will experience cervicogenic dizziness. (96). Fortunately, significant research, including the 2021 ChiroUp COPS synopsis of 631,970 diagnoses, found that the combination of neck pain and vertigo is one of the ten most responsive complaints to chiropractic care.
So, to ensure you’re the go-to doc for patients with vertigo and neck pain, this blog will review seven essential cervical vertigo facts.
1. What Causes Cervical Vertigo?
Short answer: A mismatch of sensory information that temporarily confuses the brain.
Deeper dive
Although the exact mechanism of cervical dizziness is debatable, most researchers ascribe to an altered "mechanoreceptive" theory. The upper cervical (C0-3) facet joints are highly innervated, supplying up to 50% of all cervical proprioceptive input. (11,83) The cervical spine muscles, particularly the suboccipital muscles, are extensively supplied with muscle spindles providing additional contributions. (12,81,82)
Patients with neck pain and vertigo frequently exhibit muscle hypertonicity, limited upper cervical ROM, and joint position errors. (84) The abnormal stimulation of the articular capsule or muscular spindle mechanical receptors provides conflicting input with visual and vestibular afferents. This sensory mismatch between visual, vestibular, and cervical mechanoreceptive input "confuses" the brain into a temporary state of dizziness. (11,13-18,78)
2. What Are the Most Common Cervicogenic Dizziness Symptoms?
Short answer: Neck discomfort and unsteadiness.
Deeper Dive:
Cervicogenic vertigo is suggested by a history of dizziness associated with cervical movement and likely concurrent neck discomfort. (32,33) Cervical vertigo symptoms include light-headedness, floating, unsteadiness, or general imbalance, but rarely true “spinning” vertigo. (27,97) A sensation of “spinning” (i.e., true rotary vertigo) usually suggests a non-cervicogenic origin, possibly Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). (21) Symptoms of cervical vertigo are generally episodic, provoked by movement, and eased by maintaining a stable position.
3. What Are the Key Cervicogenic Vertigo Assessment Findings?
Short answer: Upper cervical tenderness, hypertonicity, and restriction.
Deeper Dive
Findings consistent with a diagnosis of cervicogenic vertigo include loss of cervical range of motion, upper cervical tenderness, and upper cervical segmental joint restriction. Deep palpation of the suboccipital region may reproduce vertigo in some patients. (40) Clinicians often note hypertonicity in the suboccipital, paracervical, trapezius, SCM, and pectoral muscles. A cyclic pattern of dysfunction has been identified between altered cervical proprioception and hypertonicity in the SCM and upper trapezius that may fuel cervicogenic vertigo. (21,38,42)
4. What Is The Difference Between BPPV and Cervical Vertigo?
Short answer: Very subtle symptomatic differences, plus cervical involvement.
Deeper Dive
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV, is responsible for 17-42% of all dizziness presentations. BPPV occurs when small otoliths dislodge from the utricle and move into one of the semicircular canals, thereby sending conflicting balance information to the brain. (3,37) Symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness can closely mirror BPPV. However, BPPV patients typically report a “spinning vertigo” sensation, whereas BPPV is more likely perceived as “drunkenness” or “light-headedness.” (97)
Another significant differentiator is that isolated cervicogenic vertigo is nearly always accompanied by loss of cervical range of motion, upper cervical tenderness, and upper cervical segmental joint restriction. (85,86) However, clinicians should remember that cervicogenic vertigo and BPPV (or other etiologies) can co-exist.
Bonus: Check out this recent ChiroUp BPPV blog for a complete synopsis, including the best tests and treatments for BPPV.
5. What’s The Best Cervical Dizziness Test?
Short answer: The cervical torsion test.
Deeper Dive
One complicating factor in the differentiation of cervicogenic vertigo versus BPPV is that most provocative movements simultaneously stimulate cervical spine proprioceptors and the vestibular apparatus. According to an October 2022 Journal of Clinical Medicine review, the cervical torsion test is the best method for overcoming this challenge and diagnosing cervicogenic vertigo. (95)
The Head-fixed/body-turn test (aka Neck torsion test or Fitz Ritson test) aims to isolate cervical mechanoreceptors without stimulating the vestibular apparatus. (21,41) The neck torsion test is performed with the patient rotating their body on an exam stool while the clinician stabilizes their head, thereby minimizing vestibular input. Reproduction of dizziness or nystagmus when the head is stable suggests a cervical component. (42-44)
Bonus: ChiroUp subscribers can review the Cervical Torsion Test video tutorial here.
6. What’s The Best Cervicogenic Dizziness Treatment?
Short answer: Spinal manipulation and manual therapy (after other etiologies have been ruled out).
Deeper Dive
Cervical dizziness is quite amenable to manual therapy. (16,21,29, 47-49,54,57) Since cervicogenic vertigo, by definition, results from upper cervical dysfunction, spinal manipulation is a cornerstone of treatment. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of spinal manipulation for cervical vertigo. (11,59,60,87-89,92,93)
One of the world’s foremost musculoskeletal experts, Karel Lewit, M.D., states, “In no field is manipulation more effective than in the treatment of disturbances of equilibrium.” (61) Fitz-Ritson demonstrated a 90.2 success rate when utilizing manipulation for the treatment of post-traumatic cervical vertigo. (17)
Because the condition is multifactorial in origin, successful cervical vertigo treatment requires a multi-faceted approach. Treatment for cervical vertigo must address associated soft tissue components. Myofascial release and stretching may be needed in the suboccipital, SCM, upper trapezius, levator, and pectoral muscles. Postural correction may be necessary for upper crossed syndrome, and breathing exercises are appropriate for those with dysfunctional respiration. Clinicians should be particularly mindful to assess and correct for weakness in the deep neck flexor muscles (i.e., longus colli and longus capitis).
Bonus: ChiroUp subscribers can review the complete cervicogenic vertigo treatment protocol, including the top cervical vertigo exercises and soft tissue techniques.
7. What Other Causes of Dizziness Do Clinicians Need to Consider?
Short answer: Lots!
Deeper dive:
Cervicogenic dizziness is a diagnosis of exclusion, as there is no pathognomonic test to confirm its presence. (34-35) Clinicians should be particularly astute and unhurried when evaluating vertigo. The common co-existence of vertigo and upper cervical discomfort has the potential to lull clinicians into a dangerous state of diagnostic complacency. Falsely assuming that someone with concurrent dizziness and neck pain is suffering from cervicogenic vertigo, without ruling out other potentially threatening causes of dizziness, could end unfavorably.
Dizziness affects 15-20% of the population each year. (98) Fortunately, evidence-based chiropractors are well-equipped to manage the most common benign culprits and appropriately refer the more threatening causes.
Bonus: Be the GO-TO Doc! Watch our latest on-demand webinar, Managing the Dizzy Patient, for an informative discussion on evaluating and treating the most common causes of vertigo. This webinar will include practical skills for managing cervicogenic vertigo and BPPV, plus valuable tips for identifying the more threatening presentations. And as an added incentive, we’ll send your our Vertigo toolkit, including the following:
Differential Diagnosis of Dizziness 1-page synopsis
CAD Clinical Pearls infographic
Epley Maneuver quick reference card
Safety of SMT infographic and blog (Lay education)
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