For executive moms balancing the demands of a high-pressure career with the responsibilities of managing a household, experiencing dizziness can add an additional layer of complexity to their already hectic lives. Cervicogenic dizziness is characterized by a sense of unsteadiness or imbalance linked to neck issues. While it shares symptoms with other forms of dizziness arising from postural hypotension, inner ear problems, side effect of medicines, etc, it is crucial to recognize the distinct causes of cervicogenic vertigo as these are particularly related to the cervical spine. In this blog, lets discuss the common causes of cervicogenic dizziness, also known as cervical vertigo.
Our cervical spine comprises of seven vertebrae, that can be roughly divided into an upper and lower portion, with nerves exiting the spine between each pair. These nerves play a crucial role in supplying different parts of the body. Cervicogenic dizziness primarily stems from issues related to the nerves that exit the upper to mid cervical spine. When these nerves are compressed or irritated it can manifest as cervicogenic dizziness. The most common problems leading to nerve compression or irritation in the cervical spine are discussed below:
Injury: One of the common causes of cervicogenic dizziness is injury. This could range from trauma such as a direct hit or fall to whiplash injuries. These can lead to structural damage in the spine and thus nerve irritation, thereby triggering dizziness symptoms.
Inflammation: Inflammation of the nerves in the upper to mid cervical spine or inflammation of the structures in the cervical spine can lead to nerve irritation, thereby giving rise to cervicogenic dizziness.
Poor posture: Constant stress on the neck due to poor posture is another common cause. When the neck is subjected to prolonged strain from improper alignment or slouching or adopting a poor sleeping posture it can result in irritation or compression of nerves, contributing to dizziness.
Muscle spasm: Tight muscles in the neck often due to muscle spasms, can also lead to cervicogenic dizziness. These spasms may result from various factors such as overuse, tension, or underlying musculoskeletal conditions, leading to nerve irritation and subsequent dizziness.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis or even degeneration in the cervical spine (Cervical spondylosis) that causes joint changes can potentially irritate or compress the nearby nerves, leading to cervicogenic dizziness. The degenerative changes associated with arthritis can gradually worsen over time, exacerbating symptoms.
Disc bulges or herniation: Disc bulges in the cervical spine can exert pressure on nearby nerves, disrupting their function and leading to symptoms such as dizziness.
Spinal stenosis: Stenosis is characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal (central stenosis) or face joints on either sides of the spine (foraminal stenosis). These can compress the spinal cord or nerves, resulting in cervicogenic dizziness due to altered nerve signalling.
Watch this video to learn some effective strategies to manage Cervicogenic Dizziness (Cervical Vertigo):
If you want to know if your Cervicogenic dizziness is originating in your neck, HERE is a free guide on "Is your Neck the cause of your Cervicogenic Dizziness (Cervical Vertigo)?"
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