Cervicogenic Vertigo: When Neck Injuries Cause Dizziness

If you've been feeling dizzy or unsteady after a neck injury or car accident, you might assume it’s all in your head—literally. But what if the cause is actually in your neck? This condition is called cervicogenic vertigo, and it's more common than many people realize.

At our Kansas City clinic, we help patients from Overland Park, Raytown, Liberty, Shawnee, Lee’s Summit, and surrounding areas recover from dizziness and imbalance related to both concussions and cervical spine injuries. Understanding cervicogenic vertigo is key to finding relief.

What Is Cervicogenic Vertigo?

Cervicogenic vertigo refers to a sense of dizziness, imbalance, or disorientation that originates from problems in the cervical spine (neck) rather than the inner ear or brain.

This condition is often caused by:

• Whiplash injuries

• Cervical joint dysfunction

• Ligamentous damage in the upper cervical spine

• Muscle tension or spasm

• Concussions involving neck trauma

It’s especially common after car accidents, where the head snaps forward and backward, creating strain on the soft tissues and joints of the neck.

How Cervical Dysfunction Can Cause Dizziness

Your neck contains proprioceptors—nerve endings that tell your brain where your head is in space. These work together with your eyes and inner ear (vestibular system) to maintain balance and orientation.

When the neck is injured:

• Proprioceptive input becomes distorted

• The brain gets conflicting signals from the neck and inner ear

• This mismatch can lead to dizziness, vertigo, or even nausea

Patients throughout Kansas City, North KC, Blue Springs, and Parkville often say it feels like the room is spinning, or they feel off-balance when turning their head—even though their inner ear tests come back normal.

Symptoms of Cervicogenic Vertigo

You may have cervicogenic vertigo if you experience:

• Dizziness triggered by neck movement

• Unsteadiness or imbalance

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Headaches (especially at the base of the skull)

• Limited range of motion in the neck

• Visual disturbances when moving the head

• Difficulty concentrating or foggy thinking

These symptoms often worsen with head or neck movement and may overlap with post-concussion symptoms.

How It Differs from Other Types of Vertigo

Cervicogenic vertigo is not caused by a problem in the inner ear (like BPPV) or the brainstem (like central vertigo). Instead, it’s classified as “non-vestibular vertigo” with a cervical origin.

The key difference is that treating the neck often improves the dizziness—which doesn’t happen with other forms of vertigo.

Who Is at Risk?

You're more likely to develop cervicogenic vertigo if you’ve experienced:

• A whiplash injury in a car accident

• A concussion with neck involvement

• Poor posture or repetitive strain (especially from screen time)

• Chronic neck tension or arthritis

• Headaches with neck stiffness

This is especially common among auto accident victims, athletes, and patients dealing with post-concussion syndrome in Kansas City, Independence, and Grandview.

How We Evaluate Cervicogenic Vertigo

Our clinic provides a comprehensive exam that may include:

• Cervical spine assessment (joint motion, stability, and soft tissue health)

• Postural analysis

• Vestibular and ocular testing to rule out other causes of dizziness

• Balance and coordination tests

• Functional movement screens

Ruling out other causes of vertigo—such as BPPV, labyrinthitis, or central nervous system disorders—is critical before confirming cervicogenic vertigo.

Treatment Options

Many patients respond well to targeted therapies that address both the neck and nervous system. Some options are:

• Manual therapy or chiropractic care to restore neck joint mobility

• Therapeutic exercise to improve cervical stability and posture

• Neuromuscular re-education

• Vestibular rehabilitation

• Eye movement integration (especially if post-concussion)

⚠️ Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any treatment plan. Proper diagnosis is key to successful outcomes.

Don’t Ignore Dizziness After a Neck Injury

If you’ve had a car accident or concussion and now struggle with dizziness, don’t assume it will go away on its own. Cervicogenic vertigo is treatable, but it often gets overlooked. Early evaluation can make a major difference in your recovery.

Call Dr. Lance Stevenson at 816-226-7476 to schedule a complete assessment. We specialize in treating the root causes of dizziness, balance problems, and neck pain—serving patients across Kansas City, Overland Park, Belton, and surrounding areas.

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