Cervicogenic Dizziness Overview

Date Posted:

June 2026

Study Title:

Dizziness and neck pain: a perspective on cervicogenic dizziness exploring pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic implications

Authors:

De Hertogh W, Micarelli A, Reid S, et al.

 

In patients with persistent dizziness, how do we determine that the neck is contributing to the symptoms, or even a primary driver of the symptoms?

Approximately 15-20% of adults suffer from dizziness and vertigo yearly, with the most common causes including peripheral vestibular conditions and cardiovascular diseases. Diagnosis is made through thorough patient history and clinical examination, which may include neuro-otological evaluations and brain scans. Commonly, no single cause can be found, and multiple diagnoses can overlap.

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges can lead to persistent dizziness, which is difficult to treat. Identifying the underlying mechanisms of dizziness is crucial to providing tailored treatment. Vestibular compensation is a significant mechanism in the natural resolution of symptoms.

This paper aimed to critically assess the concept of cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) as a form of persistent dizziness and to provide an overview of the pathophysiology with implications for management and research.