Neck, Dizziness and Vertigo
Dizziness and Vertigo are common complaints accompanying neck pain but their relationship is not often recognized and they are therefore less often referred for physical treatment. Manipulative physiotherapy can be very effective in treating dizziness or vertigo of cervical (neck) origin. The source of such symptoms is often at the upper cervical spine (upper neck region) and the cause could range from traumatic as in whiplash injuries to simply postural as in poke chin or forward head postures.
One latest experiment carried out at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northern Sweden University Hospital, has studied the effects of acupuncture, cervical (neck) manipulation, no therapy, and NSAID (anti-inflammatory) gel application on kinesthetic sensibility, dizziness/vertigo and pain in patients with dizziness/vertigo of suspected cervical origin. Patients were carefully examined by a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology to exclude those of non-mechanical conditions. The manipulation given was based on high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusting techniques applying to the identified hypomobile (stiff) facet joints in the cervical and thoracic spine (neck and upper back). The results showed that manipulation was the only treatment to diminish the duration of dizziness/vertigo complaints and increase the cervical range of motion. Both acupuncture and manipulation reduced dizziness/vertigo on the VAS scale and had positive effects on active head repositioning. Ketoprofen percutan application and acupuncture both alleviated pain. The result of this study suggested that spinal manipulation could impact most efficiently on the complex process of proprioception and dizziness of cervical origin.
I must once again emphasize that we do not claim to be able to help everybody. We can only help conditions of mechanical origin. Non-mechanical conditions must be excluded before manipulative physiotherapy treatment begins. We are very selective in the techniques we use, ensuring the technique applied is indicated and more importantly not contraindicated. We have straight protocol in applying high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusting manipulative techniques to minimize the risks. In most cases, we will use low-velocity, oscillatory mobilizations as first choice treatment. This can be very effective in most cases. We also look at the condition of surrounding soft tissues, muscle imbalance, postural condition and other mechanical aspects and they are treated accordingly as well. Our clinical reasoning is certainly based on proven medical knowledge. Both our treatment techniques and clinical reasoning should therefore distinct ourselves from chiropractors as many doctors and patients might have been confused with.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
One latest experiment carried out at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Northern Sweden University Hospital, has studied the effects of acupuncture, cervical (neck) manipulation, no therapy, and NSAID (anti-inflammatory) gel application on kinesthetic sensibility, dizziness/vertigo and pain in patients with dizziness/vertigo of suspected cervical origin. Patients were carefully examined by a specialist in Otorhinolaryngology to exclude those of non-mechanical conditions. The manipulation given was based on high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusting techniques applying to the identified hypomobile (stiff) facet joints in the cervical and thoracic spine (neck and upper back). The results showed that manipulation was the only treatment to diminish the duration of dizziness/vertigo complaints and increase the cervical range of motion. Both acupuncture and manipulation reduced dizziness/vertigo on the VAS scale and had positive effects on active head repositioning. Ketoprofen percutan application and acupuncture both alleviated pain. The result of this study suggested that spinal manipulation could impact most efficiently on the complex process of proprioception and dizziness of cervical origin.
I must once again emphasize that we do not claim to be able to help everybody. We can only help conditions of mechanical origin. Non-mechanical conditions must be excluded before manipulative physiotherapy treatment begins. We are very selective in the techniques we use, ensuring the technique applied is indicated and more importantly not contraindicated. We have straight protocol in applying high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusting manipulative techniques to minimize the risks. In most cases, we will use low-velocity, oscillatory mobilizations as first choice treatment. This can be very effective in most cases. We also look at the condition of surrounding soft tissues, muscle imbalance, postural condition and other mechanical aspects and they are treated accordingly as well. Our clinical reasoning is certainly based on proven medical knowledge. Both our treatment techniques and clinical reasoning should therefore distinct ourselves from chiropractors as many doctors and patients might have been confused with.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist