A Guide to Neck Pain and Dizziness
Neck pain and dizziness can have a number of causes but cervical vertigo is the most common. Cervical vertigo is often the result of an injury to the neck. It is the type of injury which can occur if you are in an automobile accident and get whiplash or have any other trauma which affects the nerves in the neck.
Sometimes neck pain and dizziness can develop from something as simple as moving the neck in your sleep or rotating your head when muscles are tight. One-third of all neck problems are related to cervical vertigo and when it comes to cases of whiplash, 80% are from this condition. Car accidents are the number one cause of whiplash.
Next to pain, vertigo or dizziness is the most common complaint associated with the neck. It can range from light to severe. If you sit, you can usually relieve dizziness, but it is only temporary. With neck pain and dizziness, it is important to find the source and identify a treatment plan to relieve these symptoms permanently.
You can experience vertigo on occasions when the neck is not involved. Dizziness can be caused by an imbalance in the inner ear as well. This could be the result of viral or bacterial infections. Damage to the brain from stroke or other injury can also cause vertigo. With vertigo, the dizziness comes in waves. It can worsen if you are in a situation where peripheral vision is being used, such as when you are walking down the aisle in a grocery store or riding in an automobile. Ringing in the ears can also occur.
When people suffer from neck pain and dizziness, an accurate diagnosis can often be hard to find. With cervical vertigo there should be no symptoms associated with the ear or hearing. If it is from artery compression, the most often used treatment is chiropractic manipulation. Surgery is also a possibility.
Cervical vertigo occurs in other instances when an injury causes the neck to send unreliable information to the brain. This can happen with any neck movement. The cause can once again be an injury or it can be a condition which causes inflammation, such as arthritis. Nerves are very sensitive to any sort of pressure or stimulation.
All types of tests are ordered for neck pain and dizziness symptoms. One of the most conclusive yet most risky is vertebral angiography. This is often the final method when all other tests have come up negative. MRIs and X-rays are always done. Usually cervical vertigo is set as the diagnosis after all other possibilities have been eliminated.
Treatments are also varied. While chiropractic intervention is a popular option, it is not recommended by all doctors. Trigger point injections are sometimes advised as are physical therapy visits and the use of traction. Three-fourths of all cases of neck pain and dizziness are successfully treated in this manner.
Doctors often prescribe muscle relaxants and pain relievers for neck pain and dizziness. Sometimes people with this condition get very depressed and are treated with antidepressants. If arthritis is involved, the inflammation and pain may be dealt with by ingesting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Migraine medications are used if necessary as are facial nerve blocks for neck pain.
If you have cervical vertigo, something as simple as shaking the head can bring on waves of dizziness. Treatment can totally eliminate the problem or may only bring temporary relief. If you have neck pain and dizziness, see your doctor ASAP so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and treatment can begin.