When the Problem Isn’t Just in Your Inner Ear
Dizziness and vertigo are usually blamed on inner ear problems, blood pressure changes, or anxiety. Those are important to check. But for many patients, especially after whiplash or head/neck trauma, a missing piece is the upper cervical spine.
At DMX Miami, we see dizzy, unsteady patients from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade, Broward, the Florida Keys, and from Florida, the USA, Central and South America (Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico), and the Caribbean, whose spinning world is at least partly related to the way their neck moves.
The Neck–Dizziness Connection
The upper cervical spine (C0–C2):
- Contains joints and ligaments that are rich in position sensors (proprioceptors).
- Sends constant information to the brain about head and neck position.
- Works in partnership with your eyes and inner ears to maintain balance.
When upper cervical joints are unstable or irritated:
- The brain may receive conflicting signals about motion and position.
- You may feel off-balance, dizzy, or “floating”.
- Turning your head or holding it in certain positions can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Typical Patterns of Neck-Related Dizziness
Neck-related dizziness may:
- Start or worsen after a car accident, fall, or sports injury.
- Be triggered by head motion, not just standing up too fast.
- Come with neck pain, stiffness, or headaches.
- Make busy environments (stores, traffic, crowds) feel overwhelming.
Traditional vestibular testing may be normal or only mildly abnormal, leaving you in limbo.
Why Standard Imaging Often Misses the Problem
MRI and CT can be lifesaving by ruling out:
- Stroke.
- Tumor.
- Serious structural brain or skull problems.
But they often don’t evaluate:
- Real-time motion between upper cervical vertebrae.
- Subtle ligament laxity that appears only during movement.
- How certain neck positions change mechanical stress and nerve input.
If no one has looked at your upper cervical spine in motion, a major piece of the puzzle may be missing.
How Digital Motion X-Ray Evaluates the Dizzy Neck
At DMX Miami, Digital Motion X-Ray allows us to:
- Record fluoroscopic video of the upper cervical spine during gentle, controlled movements.
- Measure abnormal translation and angulation at key segments.
- Identify possible ligamentous instability or abnormal joint motion.
- Correlate your dizziness triggers (looking up, turning, etc.) with what we see on the screen.
We’re not diagnosing inner ear disease we’re evaluating whether neck mechanics are contributing to your symptoms.
What DMX Findings Mean for Your Care
DMX results can help:
- Chiropractors and physical therapists design upper cervical stabilization and mobility programs.
- Vestibular rehab therapists understand how neck position interacts with dizziness.
- Medical providers rule in or rule out mechanical instability as a contributor.
- You understand why certain motions and postures make your symptoms worse.
Often, the best results come from addressing neck mechanics and vestibular function together.
Who Should Consider DMX for Dizziness or Vertigo?
DMX may be worth discussing with your provider if:
- Your dizziness started after a head or neck injury.
- You have clear neck pain or stiffness plus dizziness.
- Standard brain and inner ear tests have not explained your symptoms.
- Certain head positions reliably trigger or worsen your dizziness.
DMX is not a first line emergency test but it can be crucial in chronic, unexplained dizziness with clear neck involvement.
Why Dizziness Patients Travel to DMX Miami
Patients choose DMX Miami because we:
- Specialize in motion based cervical imaging, including the upper cervical spine.
- Understand the overlap between neck injury, headaches, and dizziness.
- Provide detailed reports for your local care team, whether you live in South Florida, elsewhere in the USA, Latin America, or the Caribbean.
- Offer bilingual services in English and Spanish.
When the World Spins, Check Your Neck Too
If your world is spinning and no one has looked at how your neck moves, you may be missing an important piece of the story.
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