Neck Pain and Dizziness: How the Upper Neck Affects Balance and Vertigo

Neck pain and dizziness often occur together, affecting 20-30% of people at some point in their lives. These symptoms can stem from various sources but are often linked to the upper neck. Understanding the root causes of dizziness and vertigo is vital for effective treatment.

What Is the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?

Dizziness and vertigo are often confused, but they are distinct conditions. Dizziness refers to a feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness, while vertigo creates the sensation that the world is spinning around you. Both can result from a mix of complex factors involving the neck, eyes, and vestibular system (the inner ear).

When dealing with neck pain and dizziness, it’s essential to recognize that the upper neck plays a critical role in both balance and sensory perception. This part of the body helps your brain process where your head and body are in space, which is vital for stability.

The Three Major Systems Involved in Balance

1. Vestibular Organs: These include the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cerebellum. They are essential in detecting movement and head position.
2. Eyes: Vision helps orient your body by providing visual cues of the environment.
3. Somatosensory System: This system uses feedback from the body, particularly from the upper neck, TMJ (jaw), and ankles, to aid in balance.

When these systems don’t align perfectly, a mismatch of information occurs. This sensory disconnect is a common cause of neck pain and dizziness.

Five Major Causes of Neck Pain and Dizziness

1. Inflammation: Chronic inflammation, often from poor diet or lifestyle choices, can affect the neck and vestibular system.
2. Injury: Trauma such as whiplash, sprains, and concussions can damage these systems, leading to dizziness and vertigo.
3. Infarction: Strokes or ischemic attacks can severely affect the brain’s ability to manage balance, leading to dizziness.
4. Infection: Viruses and bacteria, especially those that affect the inner ear, can trigger vertigo. Lyme disease is one such example.
5. Interference: Multiple issues can combine to overwhelm the sensory systems, leading to a breakdown in the body’s ability to maintain balance.

Understanding the causes of neck pain and dizziness can point toward proper treatment. It’s also vital to know that there isn’t always one clear diagnosis; it’s often a combination of factors.

Types of Dizziness and Vertigo Disorders

Peripheral Disorders

• Somatosensory Dizziness: This type is directly related to the body’s inability to process information from the neck, jaw, or ankles properly.
• Binocular Vision Disorder: The eyes don’t work together as they should, leading to dizziness.
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Small crystals in the inner ear become dislodged, causing vertigo.
• Vestibular Neuritis: A viral infection inflames the vestibular nerve, leading to dizziness and balance issues.

Central Disorders

• Chronic Subjective Dizziness (CSD): Often called persistent paroxysmal positional dizziness, it involves ongoing dizziness without a clear structural cause.
• Mal de Débarquement Syndrome: A rare condition where individuals feel like they are still moving after leaving a moving environment, such as a boat.
• Meniere’s Disease: A disorder of the inner ear causing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
• Functional Neurological Disorder: A condition where the brain circuitry malfunctions, often due to emotional or psychological stress.

It’s essential to note that anxiety and dizziness often go hand-in-hand. When the brain is overwhelmed, anxiety can amplify dizziness symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

The Role of the Upper Neck in Neck Pain and Dizziness

The upper neck, particularly the craniocervical junction (where the skull meets the spine), is often the silent culprit behind neck pain and dizziness. Misalignments or injuries to this area can disrupt the communication between the brain and body, leading to a sensory mismatch. This can cause dizziness, vertigo, and even migraines.

When the upper neck is misaligned, it affects the nerves and blood vessels that supply the brain. This can result in:

• Vestibular Migraine: A condition where neck misalignment leads to dizziness, often due to poor blood flow or nerve irritation.
• Vascular Issues: Misalignment can cause poor circulation to the brain, affecting balance.
• Cervicogenic Dizziness: This form of dizziness arises specifically from problems in the cervical spine.

Proper diagnosis and treatment of neck pain and dizziness require a clear understanding of the neck’s role in balance. That’s why upper cervical chiropractic care can be highly effective for many people.

Treating Neck Pain and Dizziness: A Multifaceted Approach

Because different combinations of factors cause dizziness, a one-size-fits-all treatment doesn’t work. Here are some possible interventions:

1. Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Upper cervical chiropractors focus on aligning the upper neck to ensure proper nerve function and blood flow. Adjustments can relieve the strain caused by misalignments in the neck, reducing dizziness and vertigo.

2. Vestibular Physical Therapy

This form of therapy targets the vestibular system, using exercises to retrain your brain to process balance information better. It’s particularly effective for conditions like BPPV and vestibular neuritis.

3. Neuromuscular Dentistry

Since the jaw plays a significant role in balance, treating TMJ disorders can reduce dizziness. A neuromuscular dentist can help realign the jaw, improving sensory feedback.

4. Neuro-Optometry

The eyes are critical for balance. A neuro-optometrist may use vision therapy to help your brain better integrate visual information, reducing dizziness caused by binocular vision disorder.

5. Functional Neurology and Holistic Therapies

Functional neurologists take a holistic approach, addressing the brain’s circuits to improve balance. Techniques such as myofascial therapy, cranial-sacral work, and nutritional changes can also play a role in recovery.

When to Seek Help for Neck Pain and Dizziness

If you experience recurring episodes of neck pain and dizziness, it’s time to seek medical attention. Symptoms such as migraines, blurred vision, or persistent vertigo could indicate a more severe issue.

Upper cervical chiropractic care is one of the most effective methods for addressing these problems. By focusing on the craniocervical junction, this type of care can alleviate the root cause of dizziness and vertigo without twisting, cracking, or popping the neck.

Conclusion

Neck pain and dizziness are more interconnected than many realize. The upper neck plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and stability. Misalignment in this area can disrupt the body’s sensory systems, leading to dizziness and vertigo.

Understanding the causes and seeking targeted treatment can help restore balance and alleviate symptoms. Whether through upper cervical chiropractic care, vestibular therapy, or other interventions, addressing the upper neck is key to managing neck pain and dizziness.