The Neck-Vertigo Connection: What Most Dizziness Diagnoses Miss
You feel off-balance, like the floor is shifting beneath your feet. The room spins when you turn your head. Sometimes it’s subtle—a foggy, floaty sensation. Other times, it knocks you off your feet entirely. You visit your primary doctor. Maybe even a neurologist. They check your ears, your eyes, maybe order some imaging. Everything looks “normal.”
So why do you still feel dizzy?
At Demuth Spinal Care & Concussion Center, we regularly see patients who have exhausted every traditional diagnostic avenue and still have no clear explanation for their vertigo or chronic dizziness. That’s because many of these cases have something in common—something most people (and even some providers) don’t think to examine: the upper cervical spine.
Let’s explore why dizziness and vertigo are often symptoms of something going on in your neck—and how gentle, upper cervical chiropractic care can provide lasting relief.
The Hidden Role of Your Neck in Balance
Your vestibular system—the intricate network that governs your sense of balance—is influenced by three major systems:
Inner ear structures (vestibular organs)
Eyes (visual input)
Neck and spinal proprioception (body awareness)
Most medical assessments focus on the first two, but that third piece—proprioceptive feedback from the neck—is just as critical. Your upper cervical spine, especially the top vertebrae (C1 and C2, also known as the atlas and axis), sends continuous signals to your brain about head position and body orientation.
When these vertebrae are misaligned—even slightly—they can send inconsistent or faulty signals, creating confusion in the brain’s balance centers. The result? Dizziness, disorientation, lightheadedness, or full-blown vertigo.
What Conventional Diagnoses Often Miss
Most cases of vertigo are attributed to:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Vestibular neuritis
Inner ear infection
Low blood pressure
Migraines
Anxiety
These can absolutely be valid causes. But in a surprising number of patients, the root issue lies in the neck—and if this possibility isn’t considered, the treatment plan is incomplete at best.
Some key signs your dizziness may be neck-related:
Worsens when turning your head or looking up/down
Accompanied by neck stiffness or tension
Comes and goes with posture changes
Unresponsive to vestibular exercises or medications
Co-occurs with headaches or brain fog
In these cases, the cervical spine is likely involved, even if imaging appears normal.
How Upper Cervical Misalignments Cause Dizziness
Here’s how a misalignment in the upper cervical region can disrupt your sense of balance:
Brainstem Interference: C1 and C2 misalignments can place subtle pressure on the brainstem, disrupting its regulation of balance signals and sensory input.
Proprioceptive Confusion: Faulty neck joint positioning can confuse your brain about your body’s orientation in space.
Blood Flow Restriction: Misalignment may reduce vertebral artery flow to the inner ear or cerebellum, areas critical for balance.
Compensatory Muscle Tension: The muscles around the neck and skull base may tighten unevenly, leading to asymmetrical head movement and nerve irritation.
Over time, these subtle effects create a disconnect between the signals your body sends and how your brain interprets them—resulting in dizziness, unsteadiness, or spinning sensations.
The Upper Cervical Chiropractic Approach
At Demuth Spinal Care, Dr. Amanthi Demuth provides precise, gentle upper cervical adjustments designed to restore optimal alignment of the atlas and axis vertebrae. Unlike conventional adjustments, this method involves no forceful twisting or cracking.
Once alignment is restored, many patients notice:
✅ Improved stability and balance
✅ Reduced dizziness or vertigo episodes
✅ Less neck tension and muscle fatigue
✅ Clearer thinking and focus
✅ Greater confidence in movement
For patients who’ve been through countless tests and still haven’t found answers, this targeted care can be a game-changer.
It's Not All in Your Head—But It May Be in Your Neck
If you’ve been living with unexplained dizziness or vertigo, and traditional treatments haven’t helped, don’t write it off as “just stress” or something you’ll have to live with.
Your neck could be the missing piece—and upper cervical chiropractic care might be the solution you never knew to look for.
We proudly serve patients from Sartell, Saint Cloud, Saint Stephen, Sauk Rapids, Saint Joseph, Waite Park, Collegeville, Rice, and surrounding areas. If dizziness has been limiting your life, let’s explore what your neck may be trying to tell you.
📞 Call Demuth Spinal Care & Concussion Center today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Amanthi Demuth. Let’s get to the root of the imbalance—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding your symptoms and treatment options. Individual results may vary.