Cervicogenic dizziness vs. inner ear vertigo: can your neck cause dizziness, unsteadiness and blurry vision?

How does cervicogenic dizziness differ from inner ear vertigo?

• Feeling: usually unsteadiness rather than true spinning
• Timing: follows neck pain, often for hours, rather than brief positional spells
• Triggers: sustained neck postures or movements, not just lying down or rolling over
• History: often after whiplash, a concussion or long hours at a desk

How do you test for neck-related dizziness?

We first rule out BPPV and other inner ear causes with infrared video goggles. Then we examine the upper neck joints and muscles and measure cervical joint position error: how accurately you can return your head to center with your eyes closed. A smooth pursuit neck torsion test compares eye tracking with the head straight and with the body turned under a still head¹.

How is cervicogenic dizziness treated?

Treatment combines manual therapy for the upper neck, including sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs), with deep neck flexor strengthening, joint position training and eye-head coordination exercises. Treating the neck pain itself, with a pain neuroscience approach when it has lasted, often settles the dizziness too².

Where can I get cervicogenic dizziness treatment in Alpharetta or Cumming?

Because Dr. Patel is both a Certified Vestibular Specialist and a Therapeutic Pain Specialist, the neck and the inner ear are assessed in the same 60-minute visit at our Cumming and Alpharetta clinics. Patients come from Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Suwanee and Forsyth County.

Where can I get help in Alpharetta, Cumming and nearby?

Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPS and our team of physical therapists see patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Cumming, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Buford, Duluth and Forsyth County at two North Atlanta clinics. Every visit is 60 minutes, one-on-one, and urgent appointments are available within 48 hours. We are in-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare, and offer a $129 rate per visit for self-pay and out-of-network plans. Not sure where to start? Take the free symptom self-check, or visit our Alpharetta clinic or Cumming clinic page.

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References

1. Reiley AS, et al. How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness. Archives of Physiotherapy. 2017.
2. Blanpied PR, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2017.

Answered by Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPSDoctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Vestibular Specialist and one of the few certified Therapeutic Pain Specialists in North Atlanta, with 15+ years of outpatient care. About Dr. Patel

This answer is general education, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor. Call 911 for sudden severe dizziness with trouble speaking, weakness, numbness, double vision or a severe headache.