Prevalence of cervical dysfunction in those referred for treatment of vertigo or dizziness.

This article focuses on the prevalence of cervical spine mobility restrictions in patients presenting with dizziness, vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or concussion. In a prospective study of 82 patients referred to physical therapy, 72% exhibited cervical mobility restrictions from the Atlanto-occipital joint to the fifth cervical vertebra (C5), with 70% of dizziness/vertigo patients, 64% of BPPV patients, and 90% of concussion patients affected. None of the referring healthcare providers had initially considered cervical involvement, highlighting the need for early manual assessment of cervical spine mobility in these populations. The findings suggest that cervical dysfunction may contribute to symptoms through aberrant afferent input to the vestibulospinal nucleus, supporting the integration of cervical evaluation and treatment in rehabilitation protocols for these conditions.