Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 4/3/2008

Question
In October of 2007, I believe I pulled a neck muscle doing stomach crunches (hands behind head).  I had a stiff neck thereafter for about 3 months.  I decided to put ben gay on my neck and it loosened it up.  The neck still hurt but in a different place that the original place. I believe my vertigo started around that time (January 2008).  The vertigo is worst when I walk, it feels like the ground is moving from under me.  Its also been constant with varying severity.  I saw an ENT who said I have a virus (I suppose this meant vestibular neuritis).  He said 2 weeks of severe symptoms the 6-8 weeks thereafter of moderate symptoms and then it should clear up.  He subsequently (2 weeks later) did a VNG, testing the inner ear, and said the problem is possibly in my neck.  I then went to a neurosurgeon who said that I don't have neck symptoms and he also suggested it was still the virus and it usually takes about 3 months to clear up but could last 6 months.  Its been 9 weeks now and the symptoms seemed to get little better after 4 weeks and recently now it has gotten worse.  If it is the virus, shouldn't I be improving getting toward the end?   I'm still afraid its my neck. I have occasional tinnitus.  Could a neck issue cause ringing in the ears?

Answer
A neck issue can most assuredly cause a problem with vertigo.  There is a very close association between the first cervical vertebra and the inner ear, and misalignment in this area can cause the symptoms you describe. You might want to find a good chiropractor to have it diagnosed and treated.