Pinched Nerve in the Neck and Dizziness: Is There a Link?

Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness

Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness? This is just among the many questions many patients ask during their first consultation. After all, dizziness is quite a common symptom. Sometimes, it denotes a cardiovascular problem like hypertension or stroke. On the one hand, it may be a sign of a vestibular or balance organ malfunction or abnormal blood sugar levels.  

Because it can result from various health concerns, some patients wonder if it can get triggered by a pinched nerve in the neck. Let’s take a deeper dive into this topic below.

 

How a Pinched Nerve Can Affect the Body

Nerve pinching is a common problem among many people. That’s because the bones, joints, and other tissues can impinge on nerve roots due to an injury, poor posture problems, strenuous work, and spinal column disorders.  

To understand how this can affect your body, you can pinch your skin for a few seconds. Do you notice the redness in your skin because of the pressure? Suppose you squeeze it for a more extended period. What do you think would happen? Naturally, the affected area becomes numb, and you might even notice a bit of discoloration. 

Now imagine if that same thing happens to your nerve roots. Like your skin, your nerves can become irritated. This causes the nerve tissue to fail in sending signals in and out of the brain. And if the pinching problem persists, your nerve roots become susceptible to permanent damage.

 

Indicators of a Pinched Nerve in the Neck 

Knowing if you have a pinched nerve isn’t as complicated as you may think. While it’s virtually impossible to see your pinched nerve, there are several vital signs you can look out for, including:

  • Neck pain that spreads to your elbow or fingers
  • Painful shoulder blades
  • Dull aches, tingling, or numbness
  • Neck aching that gets worse when you move 
  • Weakness in your hand, arm, or shoulder
  • Dizziness and disorientation
  • Ear pain and headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Vertigo episodes

If you spot any of these symptoms, we strongly suggest scheduling a visit to your GP. This will help you confirm if you have a pinched nerve in your neck or if your symptom stems from a different condition.

Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness

Can a Pinched Nerve in the Neck Cause Dizziness?

Now that you know a thing or two about how a pinched nerve can affect your body, let’s shift our attention to dizziness. Let’s specifically investigate the question: “can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness?” 

Dizziness is perhaps one of the most worrying symptoms. It’s also among the usual complaints of patients going to the ER or scheduling a consultation with an upper cervical care doctor. 

It’s generally doesn’t require hospitalization, but doctors advise patients to stay put when they have dizzying spells to minimize the risk for injuries. It can also affect one’s daily routine, especially if it happens several times a day. 

If you frequently experience dizzying spells, then it’s a good idea to ask your doctor about it. This will help eliminate other potential reasons for your discomfort and find the most suitable remedy to use.  After all, dizziness isn’t a condition but a symptom that you can address once you get to the bottom of its root cause. 

Here are some common explanations for chronic dizzying spells:

  • A pre-existing heart condition
  • Blood sugar level fluctuations
  • Low iron in the blood 
  • A CNS problem (such as a brain tumor)
  • Blood clots near the brain
  • Vestibular system malfunction  
  • A pinched nerve in the neck

To pinpoint the most likely cause of your symptom, you might need tests like CT scans, MRI scans, and blood examinations. It could also take several days or weeks to receive a complete assessment, depending on the severity of your health problem.

 

How Do You Cope with Dizziness?

If your dizzying spells come from a serious health condition such as heart disease or brain tumor, be sure to talk to your primary healthcare provider. You may need to take medication or undergo a procedure to resolve the issue. Alternatively, you can try natural remedies to dizziness such as:

  • Adjusting your water intake
  • Making necessary changes to your diet
  • Trying acupuncture or acupressure therapy
  • Trying head position maneuvers
  • Getting plenty of resting time at night
  • Managing your stress and anxiety levels 

On the other hand, if it stems from a pinched nerve, you can consult with an upper cervical chiropractic practitioner. With the help of upper cervical care, you can lessen the frequency of your dizzying spell and finally enjoy your life again.

 

How Can Upper Cervical Care Help with a Pinched Nerve?

You should consider receiving upper cervical adjustments if you have grown tired of trying pinched nerve remedies that don’t work. It’s a natural and holistic approach that patients with pinched nerves use to alleviate their symptoms. The procedure involves checking the topmost neck bones for misalignment – a common effect of a severe neck injury. 

No matter if your neck injury happened several years ago, it could still affect your present-day life if it caused your neck bones to shift even by a few millimeters. It might help to schedule a trip to a nearby upper cervical care clinic to determine how you can restore your cervical spine alignment and get rid of your compressed nerves. 

And, if you have other questions similar to “can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness?” you can ask advice from a neck chiropractor. This way, you know if it’s the best option for you. Learn more by booking your appointment with a local upper cervical chiropractic doctor today.

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.

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