If you experience dizziness together with neck pain or stiffness, you may have wondered whether your dizziness could be coming from your neck.
Dizziness associated with neck pain or dysfunction is sometimes referred to as cervicogenic dizziness or cervical dizziness. People may describe feeling unsteady, off-balance or disoriented, particularly with neck movement or sustained neck positions.
However, dizziness has many possible causes. Conditions such as BPPV, vestibular migraine and other vestibular disorders can also cause dizziness and may occur alongside neck pain.
At Hartwell Physiotherapy in Camberwell, we assess both your dizziness and your neck to help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether physiotherapy is appropriate.
Cervicogenic dizziness is a term used to describe dizziness or unsteadiness occurring in association with neck pain or dysfunction.
Symptoms may develop following a neck injury such as whiplash, or occur alongside neck pain, stiffness or restricted movement.
Unlike BPPV, which involves the inner ear, there is no single test that confirms cervicogenic dizziness. Assessment therefore involves looking at your symptoms and neck function while also considering other potential causes of dizziness.
People with suspected cervicogenic dizziness may describe:
- Feeling unsteady or off-balance
- A sense of disorientation or altered spatial awareness
- Dizziness occurring alongside neck pain or stiffness
- Symptoms associated with particular neck movements or positions
- Reduced or painful neck movement
- Headaches occurring alongside neck and dizziness symptoms
- Symptoms following a neck injury or whiplash
These symptoms are not unique to cervicogenic dizziness. Similar symptoms can occur with vestibular and other medical conditions, which is why assessment is important.
There is no single test that can confirm that dizziness is coming from the neck.
Your Physio will first take a detailed history of your dizziness, including what it feels like, how long it lasts, what triggers it and whether you experience other symptoms such as vertigo, headache, nausea, hearing changes or balance problems.
Depending on your presentation, your assessment may include:
- Neck movement and function
- Upper cervical spine assessment
- Eye movement and vestibular testing
- Positional testing for BPPV where appropriate
- Balance and coordination
- Head and eye movement testing
- Assessment of movements or positions that reproduce your symptoms
The aim is not simply to find a problem in your neck, but to determine whether your symptoms are consistent with a neck-related presentation or whether another cause of dizziness should be considered.
BPPV and cervicogenic dizziness can sometimes be confused because both may be associated with head movement.
BPPV typically causes short episodes of vertigo or spinning triggered by particular changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed, lying down or looking upwards. It can be assessed using specific positional tests.
Cervicogenic dizziness is more commonly described as dizziness, unsteadiness or disorientation occurring alongside neck pain or dysfunction.
Because the symptoms can overlap, an assessment can help determine whether BPPV or another vestibular condition may be contributing.
Learn more about BPPV and its treatment.
Vestibular migraine can also cause dizziness, vertigo and sensitivity to movement. Headache may or may not occur during an episode.
Neck pain and stiffness are also common in people with migraine, so having both neck pain and dizziness does not necessarily mean that the neck is causing the dizziness.
If migraine symptoms are part of your presentation, these should be considered alongside your neck and vestibular assessment.
Learn more about Headaches, Migraines and Physio.
Some people experience headaches as well as neck pain and dizziness.
If your headache appears to be associated with neck movement or dysfunction, your Physio may also assess whether the cervical spine could be contributing to your headache symptoms.
This is sometimes referred to as a cervicogenic headache.
Learn more about Cervicogenic Headaches and Physio.
If your assessment suggests that neck dysfunction may be contributing to your symptoms, treatment will depend on your individual findings.
Physiotherapy may include:
- Exercises to improve neck movement, strength and control
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Balance or movement exercises
- Vestibular rehabilitation where indicated
- Gradual exposure to movements that provoke symptoms where appropriate
- Advice about activities or positions that aggravate your neck and dizziness
- A home exercise program to help you manage your symptoms
Treatment should be individualised rather than using the same exercises for everyone experiencing dizziness.
Dizziness can have many different causes and not all dizziness is appropriate for physiotherapy.
New or severe dizziness, particularly when accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty speaking, new weakness or numbness, severe or unusual headache, fainting, significant difficulty walking or other new neurological symptoms, requires prompt medical assessment.
If we identify findings during your assessment that require further investigation, we will recommend appropriate medical assessment.
If you experience dizziness or unsteadiness alongside neck pain or stiffness, a physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether your neck may be contributing to your symptoms and whether other causes of dizziness should be considered.
Hartwell Physiotherapy provides dizziness, vestibular and neck physiotherapy from our Camberwell clinic, conveniently located for clients from Camberwell, Glen Iris, Hawthorn East and surrounding areas.
Not sure what is causing your dizziness?
Book an appointment online or call our team on 9889 3903.
Reviewed by: Sophie Parrôt, Physiotherapist
Last reviewed: September 2026
