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Understanding Cervicogenic Dizziness: Diagnosis and Treatment Explained
Manage episode 517796712 series 2938256
Vestibular physical therapists Abbie Ross, PT, DPT, NCS, and Danielle Tolman, PT, DPT, sit down with Rob Landel, PT, DPT, FAPTA, to unpack cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) — what it is and isn’t, how to tell neck-driven dizziness apart from inner ear causes, and the clinical tools that actually make a difference.
They dive into the head–neck differentiation test, cervical joint position error (JPE) testing with a laser, and why CGD rarely causes vertigo or spinning. You’ll also hear how concussion, whiplash, BPPV, and migraine can overlap with neck-related dizziness — plus practical insights on manual traction, cervical strength and endurance training, “pain-first” strategies, and when a short-term collar might help (despite its bad reputation).
Guest: Dr. Rob Landel
Website: skillworks.biz
Email: [email protected]
Hosted by:
🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS
🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT
For more FREE resources, click here.
For episode recommendations or requests, email us at: [email protected]
Connect with Us:
→ Book a free call with us-hope and healing start now
→ Get free resources straight to your inbox
→ Join the waitlist for The Dizzy Reset wellness program
→ Watch podcast episodes (and more) on YouTube
→ Follow us on Instagram
→ Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review!
Chapters (Timestamps)
00:00 – Welcome & show open
00:45 – Dr. Lindell’s background & early vestibular days
03:01 – How far vestibular rehab has come
03:58 – Defining CGD clinically
05:26 – Symptoms CGD
06:26 – CGD with vestibular or central issues; trauma link
07:25 – Secondary CGD from guarding & “moving in blocks”
08:31 – Is CGD over- or under-diagnosed?
12:11 – BPPV + trauma: when to probe the neck
14:10 – Migraine, vestibular migraine, cervicogenic headache—untangling overlap
16:26 – How neck input feeds spatial orientation
19:43 – Mismatch analogy: why CGD feels like seasickness
21:10 – History taking: get precise about “dizzy”
22:38 – Traumatic vs. atraumatic onset; red flags & neuro screen
26:28 – Exam flow once central/peripheral causes are ruled down
27:22 – Head–Neck Differentiation Test (separating head vs. neck motion)
30:17 – Cervical Relocation / Joint Position Error (JPE) Test with laser
33:27 – Testing extension: stabilizing neck vs. moving head in block
35:03 – Treatment blueprint: mobility, pain, motor control, strength/endurance
37:26 – Laser tracing progressions
38:20 – Timelines: why strength/endurance take the longest
46:18 – Why one therapist managing vestibular + MSK is ideal
49:18 – Evidence & experience with traction/manipulation for CGD
50:43 – “Heavy-headedness”
53:22 – Fatigue → increased sway; training normalizes it
54:48 – Wrap-up & future part 2 ideas
86 episodes
Manage episode 517796712 series 2938256
Vestibular physical therapists Abbie Ross, PT, DPT, NCS, and Danielle Tolman, PT, DPT, sit down with Rob Landel, PT, DPT, FAPTA, to unpack cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) — what it is and isn’t, how to tell neck-driven dizziness apart from inner ear causes, and the clinical tools that actually make a difference.
They dive into the head–neck differentiation test, cervical joint position error (JPE) testing with a laser, and why CGD rarely causes vertigo or spinning. You’ll also hear how concussion, whiplash, BPPV, and migraine can overlap with neck-related dizziness — plus practical insights on manual traction, cervical strength and endurance training, “pain-first” strategies, and when a short-term collar might help (despite its bad reputation).
Guest: Dr. Rob Landel
Website: skillworks.biz
Email: [email protected]
Hosted by:
🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS
🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT
For more FREE resources, click here.
For episode recommendations or requests, email us at: [email protected]
Connect with Us:
→ Book a free call with us-hope and healing start now
→ Get free resources straight to your inbox
→ Join the waitlist for The Dizzy Reset wellness program
→ Watch podcast episodes (and more) on YouTube
→ Follow us on Instagram
→ Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review!
Chapters (Timestamps)
00:00 – Welcome & show open
00:45 – Dr. Lindell’s background & early vestibular days
03:01 – How far vestibular rehab has come
03:58 – Defining CGD clinically
05:26 – Symptoms CGD
06:26 – CGD with vestibular or central issues; trauma link
07:25 – Secondary CGD from guarding & “moving in blocks”
08:31 – Is CGD over- or under-diagnosed?
12:11 – BPPV + trauma: when to probe the neck
14:10 – Migraine, vestibular migraine, cervicogenic headache—untangling overlap
16:26 – How neck input feeds spatial orientation
19:43 – Mismatch analogy: why CGD feels like seasickness
21:10 – History taking: get precise about “dizzy”
22:38 – Traumatic vs. atraumatic onset; red flags & neuro screen
26:28 – Exam flow once central/peripheral causes are ruled down
27:22 – Head–Neck Differentiation Test (separating head vs. neck motion)
30:17 – Cervical Relocation / Joint Position Error (JPE) Test with laser
33:27 – Testing extension: stabilizing neck vs. moving head in block
35:03 – Treatment blueprint: mobility, pain, motor control, strength/endurance
37:26 – Laser tracing progressions
38:20 – Timelines: why strength/endurance take the longest
46:18 – Why one therapist managing vestibular + MSK is ideal
49:18 – Evidence & experience with traction/manipulation for CGD
50:43 – “Heavy-headedness”
53:22 – Fatigue → increased sway; training normalizes it
54:48 – Wrap-up & future part 2 ideas
86 episodes
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