Cervicogenic Dizziness | Diagnosis & Treatment
Introduction & Pathophysiology
Cervicogenic dizziness is defined as “a non-specific sensation of altered orientation in space and disequilibrium” and it is related to neck dysfunction. It is more frequently present in females and in people with sitting jobs or in those with sustained neck positions during work. The dizziness complaint is often more a sensation of lightheadedness in combination with disequilibrium.
Pathomechanism
Cervicogenic dizziness is caused by a sensory mismatch of the afferent information of the neck. Important proprioceptive structures like muscle spindles and nerve receptor endings are located in the neck. Therefore, this region is important for postural control and balance. Due to a cervical dysfunction (originating from a mechanical, degenerative or inflammatory disorder), a sensory mismatch of the afferent cervical proprioceptive input with sensory input from the visual and vestibular system occurs. This abnormal afferent input from cervical joint receptors/mechanoreceptors to the vestibular nucleus causes a mismatch with the information from the vestibular and visual systems.
Triggers may be:
- (Quick) neck movements, for example, neck extension when looking up
- Reduced ROM of the neck
- Neck pain
- Certain (sustained) neck positions
