J Orthop Sports Phys Ther ; — Postural and symptomatic improvement after physiotherapy in patients with dizziness of suspected cervical origin. Tendinitis of longus colli: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical spectra of 9 cases. Simultaneously with the acupotomy therapy, the long muscles of the neck were penetrated and cut on their surface. Australian J Physiotherpy , Such injections caused unsteadiness and minor amounts of dizziness. Movie of vertebral artery compression head is turned to the right, and there is compression of vertebral artery by a spur, video courtesy of Dr. Kogler, A. The same suboccipital muscles have inputs from the vestibular balance, oculomotor eye movement, and visual pathways.
Vertigo is the technical name for dizziness, especially the type where it feels like the room, or the patient, is spinning. Most of us are familiar with this feeling; it often accompanies colds and sinus congestion, and I am told that drinking too much alcohol also can cause it. Another common cause is fluid buildup or infection of the inner ear, because the brain depends on the ear for balance and position input. When the input is disturbed, bad information gets sent to the brain, making you feel dizzy. But the inner ears are not the only cause of vertigo, because they are not the sole source of balance information to the brain. Another source are the joints and muscles of the neck. It is thought that the inner ear is responsible for motion and position sense about the head itself, and the neck supplies information about the relation between the head and the body.
Stretching and exercising the neck help it to maintain mobility and better support the head. A strong and flexible neck functions better and is less likely to become painful, which may also reduce the risk of associated dizziness. Neck stretches and exercises help keep the neck strong and flexible, making it less susceptible to pain and possibly reducing the risk of associated dizziness. Read Neck Exercises for Neck Pain. Stretching the neck can help reduce muscle tension and increase range of motion. Some gentle stretches to try include. See 4 Easy Stretches for a Stiff Neck.