Cervicogenic dizziness (or cervical vertigo) is a common issue that we see here at Physiohaus!

It is characterized by dizziness, unsteadiness, lightheadedness, and neck pain/stiffness. People who typically experience cervicogenic dizziness include patients who are older, patients who have experienced a car accident or whiplash injury, and patients who have neck muscle tightness (we’re looking at you, office workers!).

There are no reliable laboratory or diagnostic tests to diagnose this type of dizziness – and rehab clinicians (like physiotherapists and chiropractors) are some of the best people to diagnose and treat this condition.

Management of this condition might include manual therapy, neck mobility and strength exercise, specialized vestibular exercises, and patient education! If you think that you might be experiencing cervicogenic dizziness, Miriam McLean (RPT) at Physiohaus loves coming up with appropriate and evidence-informed rehabilitation tailored to your specific needs.

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3. Knapstad MK, Nordahl SHG, Goplen FK. Clinical characteristics in patients with cervicogenic dizziness: A systematic review. Heal Sci Reports. 2019;2(9):e134.

4. Treleaven J, Peterson G, Ludvigsson ML, Kammerlind AS, Peolsson A. Balance, dizziness and proprioception in patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders complaining of dizziness: A prospective randomized study comparing three exercise programs. Man Ther. 2016;22:122–30.