Cervicogenic dizziness: A review of diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis of cervicogenic dizziness is characterized by dizziness and d ysequilibrium that is associated with neck pain in patients with cervical p athology. The diagnosis and treatment of an individual presenting with cerv ical spine dysfunction and associated dizziness complaints can be a challen ging experience to orthopaedic and vestibular rehabilitation specialists. T he purpose of this article is to review the incidence and prevalence, histo rical background, and proposed pathophysiology underlying cervicogenic dizz iness. In addition, we have outlined the diagnostic criteria, evaluation, a nd treatment of dizziness attributed to disorders of the cervical spine. Th e diagnosis of cervicogenic dizziness is dependent upon correlating symptom s of imbalance and dizziness with neck pain and excluding other vestibular disorders based on history, examination, and vestibular function tests. Whe n diagnosed correctly cervicogenic dizziness can be successfully treated us ing a combination of manual therapy and vestibular rehabilitation. We prese nt 2 cases, of patients diagnosed with cervicogenic dizziness, as an illust ration of the clinical decisionmaking process in regard to this diagnosis.