Understanding The Connection Between Neck Pain And Dizziness
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Quick movements, changes in body position, or standing up too quickly can cause occasional dizziness. These brief episodes are usually considered a normal part of life. However, frequent dizziness can interfere with daily activities and overall function.
Issues in the inner ear or brain often cause dizziness, but problems in the neck can also contribute to symptoms. This connection is known as cervical or cervicogenic dizziness and can be overlooked during evaluation. The balance system depends on input from the inner ear, eyes, and joints in the upper neck. Disruptions in this system can lead to both neck pain and dizziness.
The Anatomy Of The Cervical Spine
The cervical spine forms the upper part of the spinal column and supports the head’s range of motion. It consists of seven vertebrae, with cushioning discs between each level and two joints at the back of each vertebra called facet joints. Muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves support these structures and work together to control neck movement with precision.
Neck pain and dizziness often originate from the upper part of the cervical spine. This region is important in maintaining balance and head positioning, making it critical for daily movement and stability.
Three systems work together to keep the body balanced: the upper neck, the eyes, and the inner ears. The upper neck sends position-sense information through nerves from the facet joints and muscles, coordinating with signals from the eyes and inner ears.
These systems act like members of a team, with each one needing to agree with the others to maintain stability. If one system sends signals that do not match, the body may lose balance, which can contribute to dizziness.
The facet joints in the upper cervical spine can also refer pain to the head. As a result, headaches often occur alongside neck pain and dizziness when this region becomes disrupted.
Body Parts Affected By Dizziness And Neck Discomfort
Several underlying conditions involving the cervical spine, nervous system, or balance centers can cause dizziness and neck discomfort. When the body’s balance system becomes disrupted, multiple areas may feel the effects as the body works to maintain stability.
Affected areas may include:
Facet Joints
The facet joints in the upper cervical spine help stabilize and guide movement in the neck. Injury or arthritis in these joints can contribute to neck pain, dizziness, and headaches. Damaged facet joints may refer pain into the head and disrupt the neck’s role in maintaining balance.
Chronic headaches, neck pain, and dizziness may occur when the facet joints do not function properly. Procedures using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may help support the body’s natural healing process in injured facet joints. PRP treatments use a concentrated portion of the individual’s own blood to promote tissue repair.
Upper Neck Ligaments
The ligaments in the upper cervical spine stabilize the head and neck during movement. Injury or disease can stretch or damage these ligaments, allowing excessive motion between the head and upper neck. This abnormal movement may place pressure on nearby nerves and contribute to symptoms such as neck pain, dizziness, and headaches.
Prolotherapy or PRP injections may help support the body’s natural healing process in injured ligaments. In cases involving more significant craniocervical junction (CCJ) instability, physicians in the licensed Regenexx network may recommend a more advanced injection procedure to help stabilize the area.
Other Factors Contributing To Dizziness And Neck Discomfort
Identifying the source of upper neck pain is critical to managing neck pain and dizziness. Some conditions that cause these symptoms may influence how long they persist or how they progress over time.
While surgery may be considered for severe cases, preserving normal neck movement and minimizing invasive procedures remains a priority. Surgical options such as cervical fusion can restrict motion and often require a lengthy recovery process.
Several injuries and conditions can contribute to dizziness and neck discomfort. These may include ligament damage, joint instability, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, nerve irritation, or muscle dysfunction.
Each of these factors can affect the balance system and may produce symptoms that vary in severity. Understanding the specific cause supports appropriate evaluation and helps guide management strategies focused on reducing symptoms and improving function.
Vascular Issues
In some cases, dizziness and neck pain may indicate blood vessel problems in the neck. The vertebral arteries travel through the cervical spine and supply blood to parts of the brain that control balance and coordination.
Injury, narrowing, or compression of these arteries can reduce blood flow and may contribute to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or visual disturbances. Certain vascular conditions, such as vertebral artery dissection or cervical artery stenosis, may also cause neck discomfort alongside dizziness.
Inner Ear Disorders
Inner ear structures like the vestibular system detect head position, movement, and spatial orientation. Damage or dysfunction in these structures can contribute to dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems.
Common inner ear conditions linked to dizziness include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease. These disorders can create conflicting signals between the inner ear, the eyes, and the neck, leading to instability and symptoms of dizziness.
Cervical Muscle Weakness And Nerve Irritation
Reduced physical activity after a neck injury can lead to atrophy of deep cervical muscles such as the multifidus. As these stabilizing muscles weaken, larger muscles like the trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalenes often compensate, leading to muscle overload and disrupted body alignment.
Overloaded muscles can irritate nearby nerves. The occipital nerve, located near the upper trapezius, may contribute to headaches, while compression of the brachial plexus can cause numbness in the little finger. Although nerve involvement rarely causes dizziness directly, it may contribute to overall neck dysfunction.
Possible Conditions That May Contribute to These Symptoms
Several conditions involving the cervical spine or surrounding structures may contribute to symptoms such as neck pain and dizziness. Understanding the potential sources can help a physician determine appropriate next steps for evaluation and care.
- Cervicogenic Headache: A cervicogenic headache originates from the neck due to muscle tension, joint dysfunction, referred pain or nerve irritation. It often presents as one-sided head pain, stiffness, and discomfort that worsens with neck movement. Read More About Cervicogenic Headaches.
Importance Of Identifying The Root Cause Of Pain
Accurately identifying the cause of neck pain and dizziness helps guide appropriate evaluation and care strategies. A thorough diagnostic process may include several components designed to assess structural and functional issues:
- Physical Examination: Evaluates neck movement, muscle strength, balance, and nerve function to detect signs of dysfunction or instability.
- Neurological Assessment: Tests reflexes, coordination, and sensory changes that may indicate nerve involvement.
- X-Rays: Identify changes in bone alignment, joint space narrowing, or signs of degenerative changes in the cervical spine.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Detects soft tissue injuries, ligament damage, disc problems, and nerve compression with greater detail.
- Balance And Coordination Tests: Assess how the neck, eyes, and inner ear work together to maintain stability.
Combining clinical findings with imaging results can help physicians in the licensed Regenexx network better determine the root cause of symptoms and recommend appropriate management options focused on reducing pain and improving function.
Symptom Management While Seeking A Diagnosis
Managing symptoms during the diagnostic process can help reduce discomfort and support daily activities. While reducing inflammation and providing neck support are essential, long-term improvement typically depends on addressing the underlying cause.
Several strategies may help manage symptoms while working toward a diagnosis:
Rest And Ice
Rest is often recommended during the early stages of neck pain to help prevent further irritation of injured tissues. Limiting strenuous activities can support the reduction of inflammation and protect the cervical spine.
Applying ice to the neck may also help manage symptoms. Cold applications can reduce swelling, decrease nerve sensitivity, and minimize discomfort. Short, frequent ice sessions are typically preferred to avoid excessive skin cooling.
Lifestyle Modifications
Simple adjustments to daily habits may help reduce neck strain and support the body’s natural healing process while seeking a diagnosis. Small changes can lessen mechanical stress on the cervical spine and help ease symptoms during this time.
Common lifestyle modifications that may assist with symptom management include:
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Using proper desk setups and supportive chairs can promote better neck and spine alignment.
- Activity Pacing: Balancing periods of activity and rest may help prevent overloading weakened muscles and joints.
- Sleep Positioning: Maintaining proper neck support with a cervical pillow can help reduce overnight strain.
- Hydration And Nutrition: Staying hydrated and supporting overall tissue health with balanced nutrition may promote recovery.
- Stress Management: Techniques such as breathing exercises or mindfulness may help reduce muscle tension associated with neck discomfort.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy often plays an important role in managing neck pain and dizziness during the diagnostic process. Targeted exercises and manual techniques may help improve neck stability, mobility, and overall function.
A physical therapy program typically focuses on:
- Strengthening Deep Neck Muscles: Building strength in stabilizing muscles can support better control of head and neck movements.
- Improving Posture: Correcting posture may reduce abnormal forces on the cervical spine and promote better balance.
- Enhancing Flexibility: Gentle stretching exercises can help restore a normal range of motion without aggravating symptoms.
- Neuromuscular Re-Education: Techniques that retrain muscle and nerve coordination may improve stability and decrease strain.
- Balance And Proprioception Exercises: Addressing deficits in balance systems can help improve overall body control.
Steroid Injections And Radiofrequency Ablation
Steroid medications act as strong anti-inflammatories and can sometimes help conditions such as facet joint injuries. However, repeated steroid use may have drawbacks. Research indicates that locally injected steroids can be absorbed systemically and may carry risks such as bone density loss, infection, and elevated blood sugar levels.[1] Repeated use may increase overall risk, especially in higher-risk individuals.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is another technique sometimes used for chronic neck pain, particularly when facet joints are involved. RFA applies heat to specific nerves around the damaged joint to interrupt pain signals traveling to the brain.
Although RFA can help manage chronic neck pain linked to facet joints, burning nerves may contribute to accelerated joint degeneration, the development of a Charcot joint, and the need for repeated procedures as nerve function returns over time.
Trigger-Point Dry Needling
Trigger-point dry needling targets muscle-related sources of neck pain and dizziness by addressing tight, irritated areas within muscles known as trigger points. Thin, solid needles are inserted directly into these myofascial trigger points to help relieve tension and restore movement.
Although it may resemble acupuncture, dry needling is not based on traditional Chinese medicine and does not target meridian lines. Instead, it is rooted in modern anatomy and neuromuscular science, specifically focusing on myofascial trigger points linked to musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Studies suggest that dry needling may offer short-term relief for pain and movement restrictions.[2] When applied to muscles that influence the balance system, it may help reduce abnormal input contributing to dizziness. Unlike trigger-point injections that introduce medications, dry needling uses no substances. This avoids the risk of myotoxicity associated with certain injected agents, such as local anesthetics or steroids.
The Regenexx Approach To Addressing Neck Pain And Dizziness
Physicians in the licensed Regenexx network use a thorough approach to evaluate candidates and provide a customized treatment plan that may support reduced neck pain and dizziness. Physicians review each individual’s symptoms, clinical history, physical examination findings, and imaging results to determine an appropriate plan of care.
Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, procedures using Regenexx lab processing are tailored to the specific structures involved, such as injured ligaments, damaged facet joints, or irritated nerves. The goal is to support the body’s natural healing process, improve stability, and reduce symptoms while preserving normal neck function whenever possible.
Depending on the evaluation findings, physicians may recommend treatments such as PRP procedures or procedures using Regenexx SD injectate. These advanced interventional orthobiologic procedures may help target the source of symptoms and promote improved function without invasive surgery.
By customizing care to each individual’s needs, the Regenexx approach offers a less invasive path for addressing neck pain and dizziness, supporting the body’s ability to maintain better function with less downtime.
Get Personalized Help To Manage Your Symptoms
Neck pain and dizziness often share a connection with problems in the upper cervical spine. When symptoms such as neck discomfort, dizziness, and headaches occur together, careful evaluation of the upper neck is crucial in identifying contributing factors.
Working with a physician in the licensed Regenexx network who is experienced in nonsurgical neck care can help determine the underlying cause of symptoms. A customized approach focused on precise diagnosis and targeted management strategies may offer the best opportunity to improve stability, reduce discomfort, and support long-term function.
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- Stout A, Friedly J, Standaert CJ. Systemic Absorption and Side Effects of Locally Injected Glucocorticoids. PM R. 2019 Apr;11(4):409-419. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.12042. Epub 2019 Mar 29. PMID: 30925034. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30925034/
- Gattie ER, Cleland JA, Snodgrass SJ. Dry Needling for Patients With Neck Pain: Protocol of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Nov 22;6(11):e227. doi: 10.2196/resprot.7980. PMID: 29167092; PMCID: PMC5719229. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5719229/
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