Summit Neuro

Conditions We Treat

Neck-Related Dizziness Treatment in Bellevue, WA

Often called cervicogenic dizziness, this is unsteadiness that comes from the neck, and we work to find where those signals are conflicting and retrain them.

What it is

Neck-related dizziness, also called cervicogenic dizziness, is dizziness or unsteadiness that comes from the neck. It often follows a whiplash injury, neck strain, or poor posture held over time.

The joints and muscles of the neck send position signals to the brain. When those signals conflict with what the inner ear and eyes are reporting, you can feel off-balance, foggy, or unsteady even though the inner ear itself may be working fine.

Signs you might notice

  • Dizziness with neck movement or positions
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Unsteadiness
  • Headaches
  • Reduced neck mobility
  • Symptoms after a whiplash injury

How Summit Neuro helps

Our advanced neuro-functional exam helps sort out how much of your dizziness is coming from the neck and how much is coming from elsewhere. Using precise eye-tracking and VNG testing, detailed vestibular analysis, and optokinetic mapping, we measure how the neck, inner ear, eyes, and brain are working together, then turn that into objective data.

From there we build a personalized vestibular and brain-based rehabilitation plan that retrains the specific pathways involved in your symptoms. We re-test along the way so progress is something you can see and measure, not only something you feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cervicogenic dizziness?

Cervicogenic dizziness, also called neck-related dizziness, is dizziness or unsteadiness that comes from the neck rather than the inner ear. The joints and muscles of the neck send position signals to the brain, and when those signals conflict with what the inner ear and eyes are reporting, you can feel off-balance, foggy, or unsteady.

How do you know if my dizziness is coming from my neck?

Our exam is designed to sort how much of your dizziness is coming from the neck and how much from elsewhere. Using eye-tracking, VNG testing, vestibular analysis, and optokinetic mapping, we measure how the neck, inner ear, eyes, and brain are working together. A key sign is dizziness triggered by neck movement or position while inner-ear testing comes back normal.

Can whiplash cause dizziness?

Yes. Cervicogenic dizziness often follows a whiplash injury, and symptoms may appear well after the original event. Neck strain and poor posture held over time can produce the same pattern.

Why do I feel dizzy when I turn my head?

Dizziness with neck movement or particular head positions is the hallmark of neck-related dizziness. It suggests the position signals from your neck are conflicting with what your inner ear and eyes are reporting, so the brain receives contradictory information about where you are in space.

How is this different from vertigo?

Vertigo is usually a spinning sensation driven by the inner ear. Cervicogenic dizziness is more often unsteadiness or fogginess tied to neck movement and position, and the inner ear frequently tests as working fine. Distinguishing between them is one of the main purposes of our exam.

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Ready to feel grounded again?

If neck pain and dizziness are getting in the way of daily life, an evaluation can help identify what needs targeted support.

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