When people experience dizziness, they often think of inner ear problems or blood pressure. But another common and often missed cause is the neck. Known as cervicogenic dizziness, this condition occurs when dysfunction in the neck affects your sense of balance and spatial awareness.
At North Coast Head, Neck and Jaw Centre in Ballina, we regularly see patients from across the Northern Rivers dealing with dizziness that has not improved with other treatments. In many cases, the neck plays a bigger role than they realise.
What Is Cervicogenic Dizziness
Cervicogenic dizziness is a type of imbalance or unsteadiness that arises from issues in the cervical spine, the upper part of your neck. This area contains joints, muscles and nerves that provide important information to the brain about where your head is in space.
If these structures become irritated or injured, it can disrupt the normal signals your brain uses to maintain balance. The result is dizziness, disorientation or a sense of floating or swaying.
Common Symptoms
Neck related dizziness can feel different from vertigo or inner ear problems. You may experience:
- A sensation of light headedness or unsteadiness
- Dizziness that worsens with neck movement
- A feeling of being off balance or disoriented
- Neck pain or stiffness alongside the dizziness
- Headaches or visual disturbances
These symptoms often appear after a neck injury such as whiplash but can also develop gradually due to postural strain or muscular tension.
What Causes It
Cervicogenic dizziness can be linked to several underlying issues:
- Whiplash or neck trauma
- Poor posture, especially with prolonged screen use
- Muscle tension and joint stiffness
- Degeneration or arthritis in the cervical spine
- Compensations after concussion
Because these problems interfere with your body’s proprioceptive feedback, your brain receives mixed messages and balance suffers.
Assessment and Diagnosis
There is no single test for cervicogenic dizziness, which makes it harder to diagnose. At our Ballina clinic, we perform a detailed history and physical examination to assess your neck function, posture and movement patterns. We also rule out other causes of dizziness such as inner ear conditions.
This comprehensive approach helps identify whether your neck is likely contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment Options
If your dizziness is coming from your neck, osteopathic care may be able to help improve your symptoms by restoring normal function. Treatment may include:
- Gentle joint mobilisation to improve neck movement
- Soft tissue work to release muscle tension
- Exercises to restore proprioception and balance
- Postural correction and ergonomic advice
- Support for related conditions such as headaches or jaw tension
By treating the neck and nervous system together, we aim to reduce dizziness and improve your confidence in daily movement.
Helping the Northern Rivers Stay Steady
Dizziness can be unsettling and impact your ability to work, drive or enjoy daily life. If you have been searching for answers and suspect your neck may be involved, North Coast Head, Neck and Jaw Centre offers a focused approach to help you move forward.
Book an Assessment
We are here to support you with evidence, informed, personalised care. Contact our Ballina clinic to book an appointment and explore whether your dizziness may be linked to your neck.