Vestibular Physiotherapy
Cervical Dizziness
Cervicogenic dizziness, also known as cervical dizziness or cervical vertigo, is dizziness that is associated with problems in the neck. People often describe feeling unsteady, lightheaded, disorientated or “off balance”, usually alongside neck pain or stiffness. Symptoms may worsen when moving the head, maintaining certain neck positions, or after activities that strain the neck.
Because dizziness can have many possible causes, it is important that cervicogenic dizziness is carefully assessed to rule out other conditions affecting the inner ear, brain or nervous system.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness may include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Feeling unsteady or off balance
- Disorientation or difficulty focusing
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Reduced neck movement
- Headaches
- Symptoms triggered by head or neck movement
- Difficulty concentrating due to dizziness
What Causes Cervicogenic Dizziness?
Your neck does much more than support your head. It contains specialised sensors that constantly send information to your brain about your head position and movement. This information works together with your eyes and inner ear (vestibular system) to maintain clear vision, balance and spatial awareness.
If these sensors are disrupted due to injury, muscle dysfunction or joint stiffness, your brain may receive conflicting information. This mismatch can result in dizziness, imbalance or a feeling that your surroundings are moving.
Cervicogenic dizziness can develop following:
- Whiplash injuries
- Neck pain or muscle tension
- Poor posture or prolonged desk work
- Degenerative changes in the cervical spine
- Reduced neck movement
- Occasionally alongside vestibular disorders or other neurological conditions
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Treatment focuses on addressing both the neck dysfunction and the dizziness.
Following a comprehensive assessment, your physiotherapist may recommend:
- Manual therapy to improve neck movement
- Exercises to restore neck strength and endurance
- Proprioception (joint position sense) retraining
- Vestibular rehabilitation exercises
- Eye and head movement exercises
- Balance retraining
- Postural education and ergonomic advice
- Individualised home exercise programs
Most people experience gradual improvement as neck function, balance and movement confidence improve.
Why Choose Advanced Neuro Rehab?
At Advanced Neuro Rehab, our neurological physiotherapists understand that dizziness is rarely caused by one system alone. We perform a comprehensive assessment of your neck, vestibular system, eye movements, posture and balance to identify the underlying contributors to your symptoms.
Every treatment program is tailored to your individual presentation, helping reduce dizziness, improve confidence and safely return you to work, sport and everyday activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can neck problems really cause dizziness?
Yes. The neck contains specialised receptors that work closely with the vestibular system and eyes. When these receptors are not functioning normally, they can contribute to dizziness and balance problems.
Is cervicogenic dizziness the same as vertigo?
Not usually. Vertigo typically causes a spinning sensation and is most commonly related to inner ear disorders. Cervicogenic dizziness more often feels like unsteadiness, lightheadedness or disorientation associated with neck pain.
Can physiotherapy help cervical dizziness?
Yes. Physiotherapy is considered one of the primary treatments for cervicogenic dizziness. Treatment aims to restore normal neck movement, improve balance, retrain coordination between the neck, eyes and vestibular system, and reduce dizziness symptoms.
Do I need scans for cervical dizziness?
Not everyone requires imaging. Your physiotherapist will complete a thorough assessment and identify whether further medical investigations or referral are needed.
