Cervicogenic Dizziness
Cervicogenic dizziness is a condition where dizziness or a sense of imbalance is triggered by dysfunction in the neck, often due to poor posture, injury, or cervical spine issues. The dizziness typically occurs during head or neck movement and may be accompanied by stiffness, pain, or tension in the upper back and shoulders. While it can feel similar to vestibular disorders, cervicogenic dizziness stems from mechanical and sensory input disruption between the neck and brain.
At Sparq Physical Therapy in Castle Rock, CO, we specialize in identifying the root cause of dizziness and treating it with one-on-one, personalized care. If your symptoms are linked to your neck, we’ll create a targeted treatment plan to restore function, improve posture, and reduce both dizziness and discomfort.
Affected Area
Cervicogenic dizziness originates from dysfunction in the cervical spine, especially the upper neck joints, muscles, and proprioceptors that send spatial orientation signals to the brain. Over time, this mismatch can impact the vestibular system, visual coordination, and postural control, leading to dizziness, imbalance, and headaches.
Symptoms
Symptoms often include dizziness or unsteadiness that worsens with head or neck movements, neck pain or stiffness, headaches (especially at the base of the skull), and difficulty focusing or concentrating. You may also experience a sensation of being "off" or disoriented, especially during or after prolonged sitting, working at a computer, or after a neck injury such as whiplash.
Treatments
Physical therapy can be highly effective in treating cervicogenic dizziness by addressing the root cause: cervical dysfunction. At Sparq PT, we provide individualized care that may include:
Manual therapy to improve neck joint mobility and reduce muscle tension
Postural correction and strengthening to reduce strain on the cervical spine
Balance and proprioception training to re-sync your brain and body
Gaze stabilization and head movement exercises to reduce motion sensitivity
Education on desk ergonomics and lifestyle modifications to prevent recurrence
With the right plan, many patients experience significant improvements in both neck comfort and dizziness within just a few sessions.