Dizziness and Neck Pain Resolved with Chiropractic

The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research published the results of a case study on June 16, 2022, documenting the chiropractic resolution of cervicogenic dizziness and neck pain in a patient who had been suffering with these problems for a year.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Archives of Physiology, "Cervicogenic dizziness is characterized by the presence of imbalance, unsteadiness, disorientation, neck pain, limited cervical range of motion (ROM), and may be accompanied by a headache. The cervical spine may be considered the cause of the dizziness when all other potential causes of dizziness are excluded."

The study begins by explaining that "Cervicogenic dizziness is often distinguished from other forms of dizziness by both complaints of neck or suboccipital pain, and should be related to changes within the cervical spine. Another key differentiating factor is the onset of symptoms after cervical trauma; seen in one third of patients."

In this case, a 49-year-old woman sought out chiropractic care to see if she could be helped with her problems. The woman was suffering with upper neck pain and discomfort for the past year. Her pain was correlated with dizziness that she was having when the neck pain occurred. Her pain and dizziness started after a fall out of an Acro yoga apparatus. The woman fell about one meter directly onto her head on a concrete floor. Her symptoms affected her daily life and her ability to work at a desk for more than two hours.

A chiropractic examination was performed which revealed altered ranges of motion in her neck both globally as well as for certain cervical segments. Spinal neck x-rays were also taken to determine the positioning of the vertebrae in her neck. From the results of the tests, it was determined that subluxations were present and a course of specific chiropractic care was started to address the subluxations.

On the woman’s second visit, after her first adjustment, she made the comment that "feel(s) like my head is on correctly." She also reported that she had not had any dizziness since her first adjustment. On the woman’s fourth visit, she reported that she was "back to pre-injury function and feeling great". As care continued, she continued to state that she felt great. Follow-up exam procedures also showed structural and functional improvements.

In their conclusion, the authors wrote that her chiropractic care "... was associated with resolution of cervicogenic dizziness and upper cervical pain, improved spinal range of motion, reduced presence of vertebral subluxation and improvements in self-reported measures of pain and function."