Vertigo, which is different from general feelings of lightheadedness or dizziness, causes sensations that the room is actually moving or spinning, in the absence of movement. It can also cause a sensation of falling along with nausea, vomiting and headaches. There are different types of vertigo. One type is cervical vertigo, which occurs due to a problem or injury to the neck. The first step is to identify the cause, so that the right treatment approach can be started.
Compression on Neck Arteries
The symptoms of cervical vertigo usually occur whenever the neck is moved and it may also cause ear pain, states the American Hearing Research Foundation. Having arthritis or surgical procedures on the neck, can sometimes cause the arteries in the neck to become compressed. Coronary artery disease which is a narrowing of the arteries in the neck may also contribute to symptoms. All of the above can reduce blood and oxygen flow to the brain. This condition can also be the result of a forceful chiropractic manipulation.
Cervical vertigo due to compression of the arteries is challenging to treat and requires several tests to try to identify the extent of pressure on the artery.
Head Injury
Cervical vertigo can also occur after suffering whiplash or a head injury, warns the Vestibular Disorders Association. Injuries to the brain and inner ear can make symptoms worse. To help resolve symptoms, it is important to treat the neck injury with medication, gentle exercise, and instruction in proper posture and body mechanics. This may be combined with vestibular rehabilitation therapy, to train the central nervous system to respond to neck and head movements correctly.
Abnormal Nerve Responses
The National Center for Biotechnology Information, claims that a diagnosis of cervical vertigo is controversial, and much more research is needed to prove its existence. It may be, that the symptoms are caused by an over activity of the nerves in the neck in response to movement.
Arteries and nerves in the neck play a direct role in maintaining balance. For reasons not well understood, in some individuals moving the head over stimulates nerve impulses, which can lead to vertigo or dizziness. This sensation may also occur when the head is kept still but the trunk is rotated.
This reaction can occur when there is physical damage or compression on the nerves or in the absence of physical changes to the nerves. Damage to the nerves can come from arthritic changes in the neck or an injury.
