View a Video Animation about Dizziness and Vertigo

The cervical spine feeds important information into the balance system and injury or disease can cause imbalance and dizziness. Some examples include:

• Whiplash injuries that occur with head trauma will often injure the bone, muscles or nerves of the cervical spine
• Herniated cervical spine discs
• Muscle spasms in the neck
• Arthritis

Treatment of the underlying cause of cervical spine disease will often result in a resolution of the symptoms. When medical or surgical treatment fails to fully resolve dizziness or imbalance, physical therapy can be an important adjunct (see Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy).