How Digital Motion X-Ray Helps Evaluate Upper Cervical Instability
If you live with dizziness, vertigo, or a constant “off-balance” feeling, you might think the problem is only in your inner ear. But for many people especially after a car crash, whiplash, or sports injury the root cause is actually in the upper cervical spine.
At DMX Miami, we see patients from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and the Florida Keys, plus others traveling from Florida, the USA, Central and South America (Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico), and the Caribbean, who have persistent dizziness and have been told, “Your tests are normal.”
Why the Upper Neck Matters for Balance and Spatial Orientation
The top part of your neck (C0–C2) includes:
- The occiput (base of the skull).
- The atlas (C1).
- The axis (C2).
This area:
- Supports the head.
- Contains important ligaments that guide small, precise movements.
- Has dense networks of proprioceptors sensors that tell your brain where your head is in space.
When this region is injured or unstable:
- The information going to your brain can become distorted.
- Your eyes, inner ears, and neck proprioceptors may “disagree” about where you are in space.
- The result can be dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, and a floating or rocking sensation.
Common Triggers and Symptoms of Cervicogenic Dizziness
Patients with upper cervical instability often describe:
- Feeling dizzy or off-balance when turning the head.
- A sensation of the room slightly moving or rocking.
- Neck pain or tightness along with dizziness.
- Headaches at the base of the skull.
- Feeling worse with certain positions (looking up, rotating, or holding the head in one spot).
They may have already seen ENT, neurology, and cardiology specialists, only to be told everything looks “fine.”
Why Traditional Imaging Often Misses Upper Cervical Instability
Standard tests like MRI, CT, or static X-rays are usually done:
- Lying down or standing still.
- In limited positions.
- Focused on gross structure, not subtle motion.
Ligament damage and micro-instability in the upper cervical spine often appear only when the head and neck move. If you image the spine at rest, you can easily miss the very problem causing your symptoms.
How Digital Motion X-Ray Evaluates the Upper Cervical Spine
Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) uses fluoroscopy to capture real-time motion. At DMX Miami, we can:
- Record your upper cervical spine as you gently flex, extend, and rotate.
- Measure abnormal translation or angulation between the skull, C1, and C2.
- Identify ligamentous laxity and motion patterns that shouldn’t be there.
- Correlate specific head movements with the dizziness or unsteadiness you feel.
Instead of guessing, we can see whether small but important joints are moving too much.
How DMX Findings Help Guide Treatment
DMX itself doesn’t treat dizziness, but it provides crucial information:
- Chiropractors and physical therapists can design upper cervical–specific stabilization programs.
- Regenerative medicine doctors (PRP, prolotherapy, etc.) can target injured ligaments precisely.
- Physicians can better understand whether the dizziness is likely cervical in origin or if another workup is needed.
- Attorneys and insurers can see objective evidence of injury after a car crash or trauma.
With an accurate understanding of upper cervical mechanics, your team can build a treatment plan that’s actually grounded in what’s happening structurally.
Who Should Consider DMX for Dizziness and Vertigo?
DMX may be appropriate if:
- Your dizziness began after a whiplash, car crash, fall, or sports injury.
- You have neck pain and headaches along with balance problems.
- ENT, neurology, and cardiac evaluations have not explained your symptoms.
- Certain neck positions clearly make your dizziness worse.
DMX is not the first step for emergency symptoms, but it can be an important tool when other workups are incomplete or inconclusive.
Why Patients with Dizziness Travel to DMX Miami
Patients choose DMX Miami because we offer:
- Advanced upper cervical motion imaging not commonly available.
- Detailed reports tailored for chiropractors, physical therapists, doctors, and attorneys.
- Experience with complex cases involving dizziness, vertigo, and post-whiplash symptoms.
- Bilingual care (English and Spanish) for patients from:
- South Florida: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade, Broward, Florida Keys.
- The rest of Florida and the United States.
- Central and South America: Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico.
- The Caribbean.
If You Feel “Off” and No One Can Tell You Why, Your Neck Might Be the Missing Link
If dizziness and unsteadiness are affecting your life and your tests all say “normal” it may be time to look at how your upper neck is moving.
Learn more: Treatment
Schedule your appointment today: Appointments
Call 305-275-7475 or book your appointment online
Dr. Rodolfo Alfonso, D.C.
Dr. Mark N. Berry, D.C.
Sunset Chiropractic and Wellness
8585 Sunset Dr. STE 102
Miami, Florida 33143