| Dizziness occurs in 1 to 2 out of 10 people who have whiplash
injuries. As with any CNS symptom, you need to tell your doctor about this
problem. 99% of the time, this is not caused by anything serious. It seems to
be caused by many factors, but the most common are: |
| Lack of movement in the upper
part of the neck. This has been described in the medical literature in many studies,
the most recent of which points to the C1, C2, C3 levels.
|
| Spasm in the front muscles of
the neck (SCM's). Travel, a pioneer in
trigger
points, described that these muscles could cause dizziness.
|
| Trigger points in the rectus capitus posterior minor and
major. These are small muscles that control movement of the head on
the upper part of the neck. The minor has connections to the covering
of the brain (dura) and can cuase headaches as well.
|
| Problems with coordinating eye
movements and neck movements can cause dizziness.
|
| BPV-Benign Positional
Vertigo-This can happen when the small otoliths (little rock shaped structures in the
inner ear) get dislodged. It can be fixed non-surgically using the Canalith Repositioning Maneuver.
|
| Kinking
of the vertebral artery in the neck. This is very rare.
|
|
| There are other, more
rare, but also more serious things that can lead to this problem, so again, consult your
doctor if you have any questions. |
| Caution! Many patients get operated by surgeons looking for
"fistulas". This is a break in the canal in the inner ear presumably
caused by the whiplash injury. This is rare. While it should be treated if
present, any recommendation for such a surgery should be confirmed by a second opinion
with another ENT specialist. In my experience, very few patients have this problem,
while many patients with chronic dizziness from a car accident are operated. |
