Cervicogenic Dizziness

Understanding Cervicogenic Dizziness: A Whole-Person Approach

Cervicogenic dizziness is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, leaving patients frustrated with recurring symptoms and few answers. At Patients Medical in New York City, we take an integrative approach—blending conventional, holistic, and functional medicine—to uncover the root causes of your dizziness and help you find lasting relief.

We treat more than just your neck—we treat the whole you.

What Is Cervicogenic Dizziness?

Cervicogenic dizziness is a type of vertigo or unsteadiness that originates from issues in the cervical spine (neck). It’s typically triggered by head movements or certain neck positions, and can occur due to muscle tension, nerve compression, cervical disc disease, or whiplash injury.

Common Symptoms of Cervicogenic Dizziness

Many patients describe their symptoms as:

  • A sense of imbalance or spinning (especially when turning the head)
  • Headaches, often in the back of the head or neck
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Visual disturbances or light sensitivity
  • Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
  • Nausea or disorientation

If these symptoms persist, a root-cause evaluation is essential.

Why Am I Dizzy? Root Causes We Explore

Functional medicine dives deep to understand why your symptoms are occurring. For cervicogenic dizziness, we explore:

Diagnostic Testing We Use

At Patients Medical, we use advanced diagnostics to pinpoint contributing factors:

✅ Cervical X-rays or MRI for structural abnormalities

✅ Vestibular testing for inner ear imbalances

✅ Inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine)

✅ Hormone panels (cortisol, estrogen, thyroid, DHEA)

✅ Posture and gait analysis

✅ Food sensitivity and gut inflammation testing

✅ Heavy metal and environmental toxin screening

Integrative Treatments for Cervicogenic Dizziness

We tailor every plan to your individual biology and symptom pattern.

Nutritional Therapy

Anti-inflammatory, nerve-supportive diets that promote healing and reduce cervical tension. These may include:

  • Elimination diets to identify food triggers
  • Magnesium- and B-vitamin-rich foods for neuromuscular support
  • Gluten-free or low-histamine plans, if relevant

IV Vitamin Therapy

Custom IV drips with:

  • B-complex and magnesium (muscle/nerve health)
  • Glutathione for detox
  • Vitamin C for inflammation reduction

Herbal and Nutraceutical Support

Personalized supplements to relieve tension, boost circulation, and calm the nervous system:

  • Magnesium glycinate
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Bacopa monnieri
  • CoQ10
  • Adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola) to support stress resilience

All prescriptions are monitored by Dr. Rashmi Gulati or our functional medicine team.

Stress Reduction & Mind-Body Therapy

Since stress can tighten cervical muscles and worsen symptoms, we may recommend:

  • Acupuncture
  • Craniosacral therapy
  • Guided meditation and breathwork
  • Somatic movement therapy

Postural & Structural Correction

We partner with physical therapists and chiropractors to correct biomechanical imbalances, including:

  • Myofascial release
  • Cervical traction and gentle adjustments
  • Targeted neck exercises to improve strength and flexibility

Hormone & Sleep Optimization

Poor sleep and hormone imbalances often worsen dizziness. We may evaluate and optimize:

  • Melatonin rhythms
  • Cortisol balance
  • Thyroid and estrogen levels

Case Study: Daniel’s Breakthrough

Daniel, a 48-year-old IT professional, came to us with persistent dizziness that worsened with head movement. MRI scans had ruled out brain issues, but he was unable to work, exercise, or sleep well.

Through our comprehensive evaluation, we found:

  • Tight cervical muscles and TMJ dysfunction
  • Elevated stress hormones
  • Sensitivity to gluten and casein

His 12-week plan included:

  • Anti-inflammatory diet
  • Physical therapy and acupuncture
  • Weekly IV magnesium infusions
  • Herbal adrenal support

Daniel’s symptoms dropped by 80% in 3 months—and he’s now back to cycling pain-free.

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

 Yes—in many cases, addressing the underlying musculoskeletal, hormonal, and neurological imbalances can relieve symptoms without drugs.

 Most patients improve with integrative care alone. Some may benefit from short-term medication during the acute phase.

 Cervicogenic dizziness is triggered by neck-related issues, while vertigo often involves the inner ear. We perform specific diagnostics to distinguish them.

 We are an out-of-network provider but provide superbills for reimbursement. Some diagnostic labs may be partially covered.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

Make an Appointment