Continuing dizziness/chronic neck tightness/lower back tightness

All,

I have been suffering from motion sickness/vague nausea for nearly 4years. Bloods ok, MRI brain ok, CT scan ok. Have just seen a balance specialist and while I have not received the report, based on how things went, I am pre empting this will also be ok. ENT - ok. I also under went splint therapy for TMJ - not 1% improvement (based on assumption dislocated disc can press against inner ear).

The facts I am aware of: symptoms are a totally persistent feeling of motion sickness (mild), kind of woozy, difficulty concentrating. TInnitus, blocked ears. Very tight neck, upper back (vertabrae (c1 - c2) are misaligned, but no improvement with chiro). The only relief I get is active release/massage of neck, this greatly reduces my motion sickness - however, the next day I have tightened back up and am sick again. Have persevered down this route for a long time, and after much input, came to conclusion we were just treating the symptoms, and that there is some other driver. Hence the balance specialist.

My lower back has started bothering me recently. It is very tight, effecting my upper thighs and groin. This makes it difficult to sleep, and is one more thing to deal with. My posture has deteriorated over this time, and my physio has had me doing core excercises, although this has limited effect on my back.

My question: is it possible that I have a very tight lower back, which tightens my upper back, which in turn tightens up my neck, the neck being the thing that actually makes me feel sick?. This would make sense to me as every time I have my upper back/neck treated, I feel better, but just tighten up again. If so, what should I do? I excercise reguarly, eat well and am willing to put all my energy into whatever it takes - be it pilates, yoga, strength training.....

Any advice or thoughts is greatly appreciated

Alan

hi alan,
that doesn't sound like much fun!
there sounds like rather a lot going on, but you are quite correct in wondering if the problems can all be inter-linked - the human body is a finely tuned machine! i suspect if you had the neck symptoms first, however, that the lower back may be secondary.
a few ideas for you:

- many of the symptoms you are describing fit within a condition called cervicogenic dizziness - the muscles in your neck contain the highest density of muscle spindles of any muscle in the body. they also provide a lot of information to the brain to assist with maintaining your balance and clear vision. i find patients with CD describe a constant lightheaded/muzzy/floaty/nauseous feeling and often have issues with motion sickness.
- a quick test (you are going to think i'm a bit mad - but oh well) to have a look at how well your neck detects joint position sense...tape a laser pointer onto a bike helmet and put it on. sit facing a wall about 90cm away. stick two pieces of masking tape on the wall 80cm apart with X's drawn on them. point the laser pointer at one of the X's, and in one smooth movement move it to the other X. return to the first X. close your eyes and then try and point the laser at the second X. open your eyes and see how close you got - a difference of greater than 4-5cm is considered 'abnormal'
- abnormal cervical spine JPS can lead to an increase in muscle tension as the neck muscles are constantly trying to correct your posture and react to movement.
- if yes, it could be worth mentioning to your physio. you can rehab it.

it sounds to me like you may need an assessment by a vestibular PT - it's difficult for me to diagnose you over the internet, and often people can have a combination of issues. they can at least give you a bit more direction and prescribe you a self management plan etc etc.

hope that helps!
cady

Alan, I agree with Cady. I think a good vestibular therapist might be able to help you. Whether or not it is inner ear or not, they can tell with a few simple tests

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