The cervical spine (cervical spine) is the most filigree and flexible section of our spine. Problems of the cervical spine can occur due to incorrect or excessive strain. These can manifest themselves in various symptoms.
The cervical spine itself can cause pain, the surrounding musculature in the shoulder-neck area can tense, and directions of movement can be restricted. Depending on the exact localization and the structures involved, problems in the cervical spine can also often lead to problems in other parts of the body. Frequent symptoms are radiating pain or loss of sensation in the upper extremity, loss of strength in the upper extremity, but also headaches, dizziness and visual disturbances as well as ringing in the ears can be caused by problems in the cervical spine. Even problems with the temporomandibular joint, which is functionally closely connected to the cervical spine, can be caused by it. The cervical spine affects the entire spine, so that other sections can also be affected in their statics and function by problems in the cervical spine.
Dizziness through the cervical spine
Our cervical spine is formed by 7 cervical vertebrae. On the one hand, they contain the spinal canal, in which the spinal cord with our nerve tracts runs, and on the other hand, there is a hole on the right and left in each of them, in which an important artery supplying the brain (A. vertebralis) rises. These holes (Foramina transversaria) form a channel in which the artery can move to the brain.
If there are problems with the cervical spine, this channel can become narrowed so that the artery can become trapped, especially when the head is rotated. This constriction causes certain sections of the brain to be less well supplied with blood for a short time. These include sections such as the cerebellum, the occipital lobe (occipital lobe) and parts of the temporal lobe, but our brain stem is also supplied by branches of the vertebral artery.
Our sense of balance is controlled by areas of these regions, among others. A short-term lack of supply can lead to dizziness. These are mostly degenerative causes.
A traumatic effect on the cervical spine can also lead to dizziness. Examples of this are whiplash injuries. Often a change in position of the alto (1st cervical vertebra) is the cause of dizziness.
Our short head and neck muscles contain important sensors that provide our inner ear, i.e. our organ of balance, with information about the position of our head in space. Traumatic injury to these muscles, but also chronic tension, can cause these sensors to malfunction. This can also cause dizziness.
Dizziness can also have other causes that are not triggered by the cervical spine. Diagnosis is usually complicated and can often only provide clues to a cause through a specific exclusion procedure. In any case, a professional diagnosis should be made.
