Condition
Vertigo and dizziness: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to vertigo and dizziness — the common causes and how they are assessed and treated.
- Head
Quick answer
Vertigo is a false sense of spinning or movement, most often caused by inner-ear problems such as BPPV, and sometimes related to the neck. Many causes respond well to specific treatments, so an accurate diagnosis is the important first step.
Key facts
- BPPV (an inner-ear problem) is a very common, treatable cause of vertigo.
- Some dizziness is cervicogenic (neck-related).
- Accurate diagnosis guides the right treatment.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, which is different from general light-headedness.
It has many possible causes. The most common is BPPV, an inner-ear condition, but vertigo and dizziness can also relate to the vestibular system, migraines, or the neck.
What causes vertigo and dizziness?
Common causes include inner-ear conditions such as BPPV, vestibular problems, migraine, and neck-related (cervicogenic) dizziness.
- BPPV — brief spinning triggered by head movements
- Vestibular conditions affecting the balance system
- Vestibular migraine
- Cervicogenic dizziness linked to neck dysfunction
How is vertigo treated?
Treatment depends on the cause, and may include repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV, vestibular rehabilitation, or neck treatment for cervicogenic dizziness.
Because causes differ, an accurate assessment is essential. BPPV often responds quickly to specific manoeuvres, while other causes benefit from tailored rehabilitation.
At Postura Wellness, care for neck-related dizziness is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Seek urgent care for dizziness with sudden severe headache, slurred speech, facial droop, double vision, weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking — these can signal a stroke.
Get a clear plan for your vertigo
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Neck Injuries and Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Health Topics — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Muscle and Bone Diseases — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Joint Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Orthopedic services — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia