Cervicogenic Dizziness: Implications for Physical Therapy

Cervicogenic Dizziness (CGD) is a relatively new, emerging area in the medical literature and physical therapy practice. Approximately 60% of patients with whiplash-associated disorder experience dizziness due to impaired neck proprioceptive input. Patients with CGD typically describe their dizziness as vertigo, lightheadedness, blurry vision, disequilibrium, and/or nausea. Physical therapy interventions for CGD include orthopedic and vestibular rehabilitation strategies. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the etiology of cervicogenic dizziness, describe the proposed pathophysiology, and introduce the physical therapy examination and intervention process for patients with CGD.