When Dizziness Is More Than Just Vertigo
A sudden wave of dizziness when you turn your head is frightening. Many patients in South Miami, South Florida, and throughout Central Florida describe feeling like the room spins or their balance shifts, even when they’re standing still.
While dizziness can sometimes be related to inner ear problems, for many patients it’s actually a mechanical issue in the upper cervical spine especially ligament instability around the C0–C2 region. Unfortunately, this root cause is often missed by traditional imaging like static X-rays or MRIs.
That’s where Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) comes in. At DMX Miami, we help patients from across Florida, the U.S., Central and South America, and the Caribbean uncover the hidden ligament problems that standard scans can’t detect.
Why Dizziness Occurs with Cervical Instability
The upper cervical spine houses crucial structures that control balance, proprioception, and blood flow to the brain. When ligaments are lax or damaged, the vertebrae can shift excessively during movement, especially when the head turns.
This can cause:
- Pressure or stretching of blood vessels that feed the brain
- Distortion of proprioceptive input, which confuses your sense of balance
- Compression or irritation of the brainstem and upper cervical nerves
Patients often say:
“I feel dizzy when I look over my shoulder.”
“Turning too quickly makes me lose my balance.”
“It’s worse when I lie down or get up fast.”
These symptoms can last seconds or linger for hours and they often worsen over time if the underlying ligament damage isn’t identified and addressed.
Why Traditional Tests Often Miss It
When dizziness is evaluated in a conventional setting, doctors often order:
- MRI of the brain or neck
- CT scans
- Vestibular testing
But these tests are done while the patient is still. Ligament instability only shows itself during movement. That’s why many patients are told their tests are “normal” even though their dizziness persists.
What Digital Motion X-Ray Can Reveal
Digital Motion X-Ray (DMX) captures your cervical spine in real time as you turn, flex, and extend your head. This allows us to see abnormal motion between vertebrae that static imaging misses.
DMX can identify:
- Alar and transverse ligament laxity
- Excessive movement at C0–C2
- Subtle cervical instability linked to dizziness
- Instability from past whiplash injuries or repetitive stress
This is why patients from South Miami, Central Florida, and countries across Latin America and the Caribbean travel to DMX Miami for answers.
Common Symptoms of Upper Cervical Ligament Instability
If you have dizziness when turning your head, you may also experience:
- Headaches or pressure at the base of the skull
- Neck pain that worsens at night
- Light sensitivity or blurred vision
- Brain fog or trouble concentrating
- Clicking or grinding in the neck
- Poor balance or feeling “off” when walking
These symptoms can be mild or severe, but in both cases, they’re a sign that something deeper is happening in the ligament system of the neck.
Why South Florida Is a Hub for DMX Diagnostics
Our South Miami location has become a leading diagnostic center for patients across Florida, the U.S., and international regions, because:
- We specialize in identifying instability that others miss
- Reports are precise and actionable for treatment planning
- Patients receive bilingual care in English and Spanish
- We serve local communities and medical travelers from Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and the Caribbean
DMX is frequently used by top specialists for post-traumatic whiplash cases, dizziness, neck instability, and chronic pain.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Cervical instability is a progressive condition. If ignored, it can lead to worsening dizziness, headaches, and balance problems that interfere with daily activities. Identifying the instability early gives patients and their doctors a clear path for targeted care and rehabilitation.
With Digital Motion X-Ray, patients finally get to see the real cause of their dizziness.
Get the Answers You’ve Been Missing
If you’re struggling with dizziness when turning your head and have been told “everything looks normal,” don’t stop searching for answers. The problem may not be invisible it may just require the right test.
At DMX Miami, we help patients from South Florida, Central Florida, across the U.S., and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean uncover the hidden ligament damage behind their symptoms.
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