Dizziness and neck pain: a perspective on cervicogenic dizziness exploring pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic implications

Summary & key facts

This perspective paper looks at cervicogenic dizziness (CGD), a debated condition where dizziness happens with neck pain or neck problems. It explains how altered neck sensory signals may clash with the inner ear and sight, causing balance problems. The paper says current tests are not specific, some treatments like manual therapy and sensorimotor exercises show promise, and more research is needed on brain-level changes that keep symptoms going.

Key facts:

• Up to 20% of adults have dizziness or vertigo each year, according to the paper.
• Cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) is described as dizziness linked to neck pain or neck dysfunction and thought to come from altered proprioceptive input from the cervical spine.
• CGD is controversial because it is mainly diagnosed by excluding other causes and there are no specific diagnostic criteria or a gold-standard test.
• The paper highlights the sensory mismatch theory: disturbed neck proprioception can interact with vestibular (inner ear) and visual signals and lead to postural instability and dizziness.
• Central mechanisms such as sensory reweighting and maladaptation are discussed as factors that can make symptoms harder to resolve, especially with chronic neck problems.
• Management approaches mentioned as showing promise include manual therapy and sensorimotor exercises, but the authors call for an integrated approach that also considers vestibular contributions and more research into underlying central mal

Abstract

Dizziness and vertigo affect up to 20% of adults annually. Cervicogenic dizziness (CGD), a debated clinical entity, is characterized by dizziness associated ...

Topics

Effects of Vibration on Health Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation Vestibular and auditory disorders

Categories

Life Sciences Neurology Neuroscience

Tags

Alternative medicine Audiology Biology Context (archaeology) Intensive care medicine Medicine Neck pain Paleontology Pathology Physical medicine and rehabilitation Physical therapy Proprioception Psychiatry Psychological intervention Vestibular system