There are several different causes of neck pain and dizziness, including headaches, whiplash, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), infections, and neck arthritis. The most common cause of these symptoms is cervical vertigo. Any type of neck injury may result in these symptoms as well.
Cervical vertigo is caused by problems in the neck, such as a limited range of motion or poor posture. A medical professional may be able to fix the problem with a person’s neck, and this will eliminate the dizziness. Neck arthritis may also cause pain and dizziness if it is severe enough. Severe arthritis in the neck may block the amount of blood that goes to brain, causing these symptoms.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is a disorder of the inner ear. In this condition, tiny crystals float around in the liquid in a person’s ear; they can be caused by trauma or some unknown condition. The crystals generally go away on their own after a couple of weeks, and the person will stop experiencing dizziness without any treatment at all.
Neck injuries and whiplash can be caused by auto accidents and other types of trauma. Neck injuries often cause pain and dizziness, which may be more severe if the injured person also has inner ear problems. Another reason for dizziness that occurs with neck pain is stress on the body. Sitting for a long time, lifting, and dragging objects can all cause pain in a person’s neck, which may cause dizziness.
The severity of the neck pain and dizziness will vary, depending on the cause of these symptoms. Some people may experience only mild pain and short bouts of dizziness, while others may become debilitated because of the severe nature of the pain. With some problems, the symptoms will be brief, but with others, they may last for a long time.
Treatment is often based solely on the problems in the neck and may include medications, mobilization, exercise, or physical therapy. A medical professional may also instruct the injured person on correct posture and how to prevent certain injuries to the neck. Chiropractic services may also be used by people who are not able to get relief through other kinds of treatment.