Neck Problems - Can It Cause Dizziness & Headache?

Poor neck posture-induced cervical vertigo and pain in the neck are common conditions in modern society. These can lead to seemingly unrelated issues such as trouble in swallowing, numbness, recurrent headaches, and even balance issues. We will investigate how these issues are related to neck pain in the passages below.

The human neck, also known as the cervical spine, comprises of the spinal cord and the brain. The neck is a connected physical network that consists of muscles, joints, nerves, and bones. The core function of the neck is to offer stability, nerve communications, and strength to the human body. Complications and problems arising from this structure can cause various health problems as below.

• Balance problems: Difficulty in maintaining the normal balance of the body remains one of the most prominent symptoms associated with neck pain. Patients with neck problems exhibit a persistent unsteady disposition. They may fail to maintain balance while standing, walking, or sitting. This leads to difficulty in negotiating everyday situations and conducting normal daily work routines. People who suffer from cervical vertigo or poor neck posture-related issues tend to suffer from general imbalance. Bodily movement and locomotion can exacerbate this condition.
• Headaches: A headache or pain in the head is a prominent symptom of pain in and around the neck or head. Patients are advised to seek medical advice before they embark on a course of medication or exercises. Migraines, excessive stress, and depression can also be responsible for headaches. People suffering from neck problems also complain about experiencing throbbing or sharp pain in the head or any particular spot around the head or neck region. In the case where headaches are caused by neck problems, the neck tends to become tender at the top portion, right at the base of the skull. In headaches induced by neck pain, the pain moves from the head to the behind of the eyes and can even cause ear pain or tinnitus.
• Dizziness: The term dizziness refers to experiencing or having sensations like wooziness, lightheadedness, or unbalanced movement. When these conditions are heightened, the patient may faint and lose consciousness. Dizziness is not a disease but a mere symptom of certain health issues. Neck problems are one of them. Often people experience dizziness when they suffer from neck issues or cervical vertigo for extended durations. This degrades the quality of life, and in such cases, they experience a feeling of the surrounding environment spinning every time they turn their head while sitting upright or along the vertical axis. Sometimes, along with the neck problem-induced dizziness, vomiting and nausea may follow.

Doctors and health professionals must examine a persistent neck problem and its severity. The subsequent physiotherapy treatment and the time required to eliminate the problems may vary. However, there's no denying that when it comes to dealing with neck problems, such as chronic neck pain or wry neck or even neck stiffness or cervical vertigo, the physiotherapy techniques remain the best recommendation.