Headaches and Vertigo
Headaches and vertigo often get treated as separate problems from the neck, when the two are frequently connected.
We see patients who've been told their headaches are stress-related or their dizziness is unexplained after a negative nerve test, with no follow-up plan offered either time. A lot of chronic headache and vertigo cases trace back to something measurable in the neck or the vestibular system that nobody tested for.
Why Headaches and Vertigo Get Misdiagnosed
Headaches that start at the base of the skull and dizziness that shows up with certain head positions can both originate from joint restriction in the upper neck or from the vestibular system in the inner ear. Treating either as a standalone problem, without testing which one is actually driving it, usually means treating a guess.
How We Evaluate It
We run range of motion testing through the neck, movement and balance testing to check how the vestibular system is responding, and video analysis where a specific position or movement triggers your symptoms. You see the same findings we see before we talk about treatment.
What Headaches and Vertigo Can Mean
Cervicogenic headaches, referred from restricted joints in the upper neck, benign positional vertigo related to the inner ear, and dizziness following a head injury can all present with overlapping symptoms. Some of these respond well to conservative treatment. Some need imaging or a referral, and we tell you plainly if that's the case.
How We Treat It
Once we know what we're treating, your plan can include manual therapy such as joint mobilization in the neck, specific positioning exercises for vertigo, and a home program you do between visits. We re-measure your symptoms and movement against your original findings as you progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are my headaches coming from my neck?
Sometimes. Testing tells us whether joint restriction in your neck is contributing, rather than guessing based on where the pain shows up.
- How long does vertigo take to resolve?
That depends on what the evaluation finds. You leave your first visit with a plan of care that includes an expected duration, so you're not guessing.
- What if I've already been told my dizziness is unexplained?
A negative test elsewhere often just means the wrong thing was tested. We start by testing what your neck and balance system are actually doing now.
Know What's Wrong and What's Next
No guessing, no generic exercise sheet. Just a measured answer and a plan with your name on it.