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Can Back Pain Cause Dizziness

How To Treat Neck Pain That Causes Nausea And Dizziness

What Causes Lower Back Pain And Dizziness?

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

You may be surprised to know that most headaches, despite what you feel when experiencing them, do not originate from your skull or brain.

The cause is often rooted in areas like your neck muscles, and the nerves along the scalp may make it feel like the pain is inside your head.

This connection between your neck and your nerves means that certain cervical ailments can manifest with dizziness, headaches, or nausea as well as neck pain.

In This Article:

Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome occurs when painful trigger points develop in the muscles and surrounding connective tissues. When this condition is primarily felt in the neck region, it is called cervical myofascial pain syndrome. In addition to having tender trigger points than can flare up when touched or during activity, muscles can become achy and stiff, and pain can spread to the head or shoulders. While cervical myofascial pain syndrome is rare, it is estimated that about one-third of people with this condition also have dizziness. 2

Cervical myofascial pain syndrome has no known cause. Some suspected causes include previous injury, overuse or repetitive neck movements, poor posture, and/or stress. While the connection between this neck pain and dizziness is unclear, some evidence suggests that treating myofascial pain syndrome such as with trigger point injections, physical therapy, or medicationcan reduce both the pain and dizziness.3

See Home Remedies for Neck Pain and Dizziness

So What Do We Have Here And What Does It Mean To You Something Is Pressing On Your Nerves And Arteries Causing A Dizzy Situation

Possibly that injury such as whiplash or degenerative disease or diseases possibly hEDS has caused cervical spine instability. A thicker Longus Colli muscle may offer the clue necessary to help isolate cervical spine instability as opposed to other causes for your dizziness. The thicker muscle may indicate that the cervical spine ligaments are weak, your cervical vertebra is out of place, and something is pressing on your nerves and arteries causing a dizzy situation.

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What Is Upper And Middle Back Pain

Upper and middle back pain can occur anywhere from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage.

Your ribs attach to a long, flat bone in the center of the chest called the sternum and attach to and wrap around your back. If a nerve in this area is pinched, irritated, or injured, you may also feel pain in other places where the nerve travels, such as your arms, legs, chest, and belly.

The upper and middle back has:

  • 12 vertebrae. These bones attach to your rib cage. They make up the longest part of your back.
  • Discs that separate each vertebra and absorb shock as you move.
  • Muscles and ligaments that hold the spine together.

See a picture of the spine.

Upper and middle back pain is not as common as low back pain or neck pain, because the bones in this area of the back don’t flex or move as much as the bones in your lower back or neck. Instead, they work with the ribs to keep the back stable and help protect vital organs, such as the heart and lungs.

What Are The Other Symptoms Besides Joint Inflammation

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Osteoarthritis is specifically a degenerative form of arthritis, the mechanism of which is explained further on. Between the bones, at the areas known as joints, like a cushion of tissue – known as cartilage – allows the bones to glide past one another without friction. As the cartilage wears down, the bones begin to grind leading to sensations of pain, stiffness, swelling and typically a reduction in function.

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After All The Lab Tests I Was Still Dizzy

Often a patient will tell us that they had a myriad of lab tests looking for the source of their frequent, occasional, or most of the time dizziness. At the end of these tests, the patient started looking for other doctors to help them. When they are sitting in our clinic they will often tell us, after all the tests, I was still dizzy and worse, there seemed to be no plan to help me.

Further, the controversy surrounding a diagnosis of cervical vertigo stems from confusion and comparison with other symptoms related to whiplash-related injuries and inner ear disorders. Below we will review studies, which detail in-depth, screening procedures that exclude possible causes of dizziness.

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Causes Of Cervical Vertigo

The symptoms of vertigo can vary from patient to patient, so it is important that the condition is diagnosed properly. Some of the potential causes of cervical vertigo include:

  • Traumatic Injury: some of the common symptoms of cervical vertigo are also referred to as whiplash. Whiplash typically occurs after a car accident or similar trauma. Closed-head injuries can also contribute to the symptoms of cervical vertigo.
  • Herniated or Slipped Disc: this condition refers to the occurrence of a spinal disc that is no longer where it should be. Spinal discs are structures that exists between vertebrae and act as a cushion between the bones, as well as provide support for the spine. If a disc is herniated, it can pinch nerves in the area.
  • Osteoarthritis: the condition of arthritis occurs when structures deteriorate over time. This process is natural, but it can sometimes develop to a point where bone structure becomes impacted, which may lead to pinched nerves or constricted blood vessels.
  • Spinal Disorders: conditions such as scoliosis could contribute to symptoms of vertigo. Some individuals are born with spinal misalignment, which can be benign but sometimes lead to other conditions such as vertigo.

There are some other potential causes of cervical vertigo, these are the most common.

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How Are Back Pain And Dizziness Treated

Treatments for back pain and dizziness are dependent upon the cause. Rest after injury can often help reduce back pain. Physical therapy exercises to stretch and strengthen your back may help decrease dizziness related to intense pain.

In some instances, your symptoms may require more significant interventions, such as injections to relieve pain and surgery to reduce nerve compression. Your doctor can prescribe medications to reduce dizziness. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and meclizine , also may help treat dizziness.

Causes Of Back Pain Often Linked To Dizziness

How Do You Treat Lower Back Pain And Dizziness?

As noted above, dizziness caused by back pain is not strictly associated with a specific part of the spine. Similarly, there is no single cause of a spinal health issue that causes dizziness. Some potential causes of back pain that may result in sensations of dizziness include the following:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Major trauma to the back or neck
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Pregnancy

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Caring Cervical Realignment Therapy

As we discussed in reviewing the research above, our goal is to provide long-term solutions to the problems and symptoms of chronic neck pain and instability such as headaches, dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, imbalance, and a host of other symptoms attributed to neck injuries.

Caring Cervical Realignment Therapy combines individualized protocols to objectively document spinal instability, strengthen weakened ligament tissue that connects vertebrae, and re-establish normal biomechanics and encourage the restoration of lordosis. This is our treatment method of moving towards putting a patients cervical spine back into place.

Through extensive research and patient data analysis, it became clear that in order for patients to obtain long-term cures the re-establishment of some lordosis, in their cervical spine is necessary. Once spinal stabilization was achieved with Prolotherapy and the normalization of cervical forces by restoring some lordosis, lasting relief of symptoms was highly probable.

The Horrific Progression of Neck Degeneration with Unresolved Cervical Instability. Cervical instability is a progressive disorder causing a normal lordotic curve to end up as an S or Snake curve with crippling degeneration.

The Controversy Surrounding A Diagnosis Of Cervical Vertigo And Why No One Has Been Able To Help You

Sometimes a patient will tell us that they went to a specialist and they were told that there is no such thing as cervical vertigo. Pursuing this diagnosis was not helpful. Above we examined one study that tried to make a connection between neck pain and dizziness. Lets look at another.

A June 2019 study offered these statements:

  • The existence of cervical vertigo is still a question under debate. The basic hypothesis of the disease is that the abnormalities of the neck cause dizziness.
  • The most common symptoms of cervical vertigo are cervical pain or discomfort, imbalance or dizziness, and limitation of cervical movement
  • When diagnosing cervical vertigo, we always face the following difficulties: there is no diagnostic method specific to the disease, pathognomic clinical elements are unavailable, no clear therapeutic recommendation exists. The diagnosis of the disease requires the exclusion of alternatives, but the possibility of the existence of psychogenic vertigo causes further difficulties for the clinicians. Regarding the treatment, the combination of manual therapies and vestibular rehabilitation seems to be the most effective.

It should be pointed out that despite the confusion and the controversy, manual therapies, treatments that address the cervical spine, and physical therapy seem to be the best answers.

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Should I See A Doctor If I Have Back Pain And Nausea

When should you see a doctor? Here are some guidelines to help you make the decision.

You should contact your doctor if:

  • you have a severe medical condition
  • you have recently been in an accident or suffered an injury
  • the pain is significant and comes on suddenly
  • you have a fever in addition to the nausea and back pain
  • you experience any incontinence, loss of bowel control or bleeding
  • the pain youre experiencing is different from previous bouts youve experienced

However, even if none of these apply to you, its important to listen to your body and contact your doctor if you feel its appropriate or something has changed.

Degenerative Disc Disease In The Cervical Spine Cervical Spondylosis: Damaged Cervical Ligaments As A Cause Of Dizziness The Loss Of Blood Flow To The Brain

Can Ear Infections Cause Back Pain Reason For Vertigo ...

Is Vertigo is associated with advanced degenerative changes in patients with cervical spondylosis? That is the title of a 2011 paper published in the medical journal Clinical Rheumatology by doctors at Mansoura University in Egypt.

Here are the learning points of their research.

  • Vascular risk factors for stroke, dementia, dizziness, loss of balance are thought to be caused by a blood clot or from narrowing of the arteries that supply the brainstem with blood.
  • These risk factors are common findings in elderly
  • Cervical spondylosis is also common in this age group BUT ITS CAUSE as vertigo is sometimes considered a myth.

In this research, the doctors investigated the effect of cervical spondylosis on the blood flow velocity in vertebral arteries during cervical rotation and to identify the possible association of vertigo with the decreased blood flow velocity during head rotation in these patients.

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Does A Sinus Infection Cause Shortness Of Breath

A sinus infection can cause shortness of breath because it can limit the respiratory system.

Symptoms for sinus infection are typically:

  • Headache
  • Manifest as congestion in lungs from pocketing of fluids
  • Increased mucous production which may also irritate lungs

The problem with breathing through the mouth is that this makes your nasal passages less congested, which means you have more space to breathe through your nose .

Sinus infections can commonly produce symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, fever, and headache but do not typically lead to shortness of breath.

If you are experiencing shortness of breath, please see a doctor.

Many people assume that sinus infections cause these symptoms but this is not typically the case. Sinusitis can lead to other problems such as headaches and fever, so if you experience any of those symptoms as well then it would be appropriate for your physician to run tests to rule out an infection in order to get treatment started quickly.

Sinusitis often causes a sore throat, which in turn can make it difficult for people to swallow saliva, and as a result, they are more likely to drool at night when theyre trying to fall asleep.

Drooling can cause a persons neck or chest muscles to tire, resulting in difficulty breathing while they sleep. Sinuses will also be clogged if there is too much mucus buildup within them due to the inflammation caused by the infection.

Tips To Manage Chronic Back Pain At Work

Chronic back pain can be a debilitating condition that affects the spinal region due to many reasons such as repeated poor posture, sports injuries or physical accidents. Chronic back pain can persist for months or even years without proper, ongoing treatment. The condition is commonly seen in the workplace these days due to poor posture

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Can Acid Reflux Cause Dizziness

Dizziness and acid reflux are rarely associated with each other. However, personal accounts show that acid reflux, specifically GERD can also lead to dizziness in patients. This dizziness is often characterized as lightheadedness, weakness, and a temporarily blurry vision.

Dizziness and Acid Reflux: Is There a Link?

While dizziness is not often listed as a common symptom of acid reflux, a study suggests that there is a link between peripheral vertigo and acid reflux.

Scientists suggest that patients who experience dizziness alongside their acid reflux may be due to gastric acids irritating the ear, which could lead to ear infections.

The study reported that 77.6% of patients with peripheral vertigo were also diagnosed with acid reflux compared to 26% of patients without reflux symptoms.

Although further studies are required to finalize the findings, the researchers suggest that reflux contents such as Hydrochloric acid and pepsin could get into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube and affect the ear directly. This can cause tinnitus or a perceived ringing of the ears.

Another way acid reflux could cause dizziness is through bacterial infection. The bacteria Helicobacter pylori can travel further up the esophagus through reflux contents and reach the upper respiratory tract. This could cause scarred ear drum , leading to dizziness.

Learn more: Can Acid Reflux Cause Sinus and Ear Problems?

Arm Pain: Heartburn Or Something Else

The Causes and Remedies of Neck Pain, Dizziness and Nausea.

Heart attack survivors often recount their first symptom as a heartburn-like sensation. Many patients explicitly use the word heartburn when recounting their cardiac experience. Patients often realize that their heartburn is in fact not reflux-related but heart-related when:

  • There is a pain radiating up the arm, specifically the left arm
  • They have no history of acid reflux
  • There is a burning sensation in the chest
  • They have not eaten anything prior to the pain
  • The pain doesnt go away with antacid

If your heartburn symptoms dont go away after taking an antacid, and are accompanied by arm pain and back pain, we suggest going to an emergency facility immediately to get medical help.

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Additional Symptoms Of Cervicogenic Dizziness Include

  • Dizziness related to neck movement or turning the head
  • A sensation of spinning
  • Ear pain and tinnitus, or ear ringing
  • Visual disturbances while shaking the head
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Neck Pain and dizziness

Depending on the severity of your condition, you may also experience an unsteady gait. Such instances can be aggravated by moving your neck or your spine. You also may experience pain in your jaw , difficulty swallowing, fatigue, as well as problems with your arms and hands due to neuropathy.

Vascular compression can also be a cause of cervical vertigo. Vascular compression syndromes are excess pressure being applied to a blood vessel and cranial nerve. Generally, there is pain and stiffness in the neck or spine. Compression in the nerves or blood vessels results in more intense dizziness.

Head & Neck Pain Treatment

Patients with occipital neuralgia can go undiagnosed and suffer for many years because symptoms can mimic more common headaches such as migraines. However, this condition requires a very specific treatment plan, making an accurate diagnosis essential for pain relief. Once diagnosed, occipital neuralgia typically responds well to treatment. A board-certified pain physician can offer you the most advanced non-surgical options available, enabling you to return to an active lifestyle.

Contact National Spine & Pain Centers toschedule an appointment with an affiliated pain specialist for Occipital Neuralgia treatment today.

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Treatment For Mild To Moderate Pain

In most cases, people with mild to moderate upper and middle back pain can manage their symptoms with:

  • Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , to reduce pain. But if these don’t get rid of your pain, you may need a prescription pain medicine that is stronger.
  • Heat or ice to reduce pain and stiffness.
  • Exercise to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your back, shoulders, and stomach.
  • Physical therapy to help increase your flexibility, strength, and balance. Your physical therapist may teach you an exercise program so you can do it at home.
  • Massage to help reduce muscle tension and pain for a short time and to improve blood flow.
  • Spinal manipulation to help relieve pain and improve function. It can range from massage and slow pressing to a quick thrust.
  • Acupuncture. It involves putting tiny needles into your skin at certain points on the body to promote healing and pain relief.
  • Capsaicin cream may help relieve pain.footnote 1 Capsaicin is a substance contained in cayenne peppers. Capsaicin cream is applied directly to the skin over the painful area.

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