Dizziness, Nausea and Vertigo
Find out how neck muscle tension can cause these unexpected symptoms.
Symptoms that come from the neck
Dizziness, vertigo, and nausea often result from chronic tension and inflammation of the neck muscles, which, by compressing nerves, vessels, and tissues, directly affect the labyrinth of the inner ear. Shortened or inflamed muscles increase the pressure around the vestibular apparatus, disrupt the flow of endolymph and irritate the vestibular nerve, which the brain reads as an imbalance and causes the characteristic vestibular symptoms.
These symptoms often appear when you have neck or head pain, but sometimes they may be the only visible problem. Chronic muscle tension creates "false signals" that the brain interprets as imbalance or nausea.
How do these symptoms occur?
Understand the relationship between muscles and other systems in the body.
Muscle spasm and tension
Stress, poor posture and prolonged exertion lead to spasms and inflammation of the muscles around the head and neck.
Nerve and blood flow irritation
Contracted muscles compress nerves and blood vessels. This can disrupt the normal functioning of the vestibular apparatus.
Dizziness and nausea
Inflammation of the inner ear causes dizziness and vertigo. Irritation of other muscles and nerves can lead to nausea.
Which muscles are associated with dizziness and nausea?
m. sternocleidomastoideus (SCM)
Anatomy and grip
Located laterally on the neck, this muscle has two heads that start from the clavicle and sternum. Attaches to the mastoid process (behind the ear), near the vestibular apparatus.
Nature of symptoms
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Disturbed balance, feeling of instability
- Pain in the area of the ear and behind him
- Nausea, especially when moving the head
- Headache in the area of the forehead and behind the eyes
m. scalenes
Anatomy and grip
A group of three muscles (anterior, middle, and posterior) located on the sides of the neck. They start from cervical vertebrae (C2-C7) and attach to first and second ribs.
Nature of symptoms
- Pain and numbness in arm and shoulder
- Sensation of suffocation or "lump in throat"
- Difficulty breathing
- Tension in chest area
- Pain spreading to back and shoulder blades
m. masseter
Anatomy and grip
The masticatory muscle located on the side of the lower jaw. It starts from the zygomatic arch (cheekbone) and attaches to angle of the lower jaw.
Nature of symptoms
- Pain and pressure in the temples
- Decreased mouth opening
- Pain spreading to the ear and the jaw
- Nausea and stomach discomfort (reflex reaction)
- Toothache or feeling of tension in the teeth
m. digastricus
Anatomy and grip
A muscle located under the jaw that attaches to lower jaw and the mastoid process.
Nature of symptoms
- Difficult swallowing
- Sore throat or under the jaw
- Lump in throat feeling
- Nausea and discomfort
- Pain in the front of the neck
