
Show Notes
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).
Episode Resources: Website: skillworks.biz Email: [email protected]
For more FREE resources, click here.
Hosted by: 🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS 🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT
For episode recommendations or requests, email us at: [email protected]
Connect with Us: → Book a free call with us → Get free resources straight to your inbox → Join The Dizzy Reset → Watch podcast episodes (and more) on YouTube → Follow us on Instagram → Follow us on TikTok → Follow us on Facebook → Disclaimer → Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review!
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
More from Talk Dizzy To Me
Finding the right provider for dizziness can be a long and frustrating process. In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, we welcome back Patrick Esmonde to introduce Dizzy Care Network, a platform designed to help connect people experiencing dizziness with clinicians who are best suited to evaluate their symptoms. We explore how the platform works for both patients and providers, the technology and clinical reasoning behind its matching process, and how it could help reduce the time spent searching for answers. We also discuss what Patrick and his team have learned so far and their vision for the future of more accessible, efficient, and individualized vestibular care.
In this special episode of Talk Dizzy to Me, we’re joined by members of the Dizzy Moms Club for an honest conversation about the challenges of parenting with vestibular disorders, including vestibular migraine, PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness), vestibular neuritis, unilateral vestibular hypofunction, BPPV, and Ménière’s disease.
In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Dani Tolman, PT sit down with Dr. David Sandlin, a vestibular and oculomotor neurologist at Emory Brain Health Center, to discuss how eye movements can provide critical clues to progressive neurologic diseases. From Parkinson's disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) to Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), cerebellar disorders, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Dr. Sandlin explains how a detailed bedside eye movement examination can detect neurologic disease long before imaging does. He shares the clinical reasoning behind evaluating nystagmus, saccades, smooth pursuit, VOR testing, and other vestibular examination findings that help differentiate central from peripheral causes of dizziness. This episode also discusses the importance of making timely referrals and understanding where vestibular rehabilitation fits into the care of progressive neurologic disorders.
In this episode of Talk Dizzy to Me, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Dani Tolman, PT are joined by Dr. Ben Shaw, a London-based consultant audiovestibular physician specializing in dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT are joined by Dr. Katherine Deines, PT, NCS and Dr. Jaimy Wahab, PT, NCS, also known as the Neuro Dizzy Duo, for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked parts of the vestibular system: the otolith organs. While many people associate vertigo and dizziness with the semicircular canals and spinning sensations, this episode explores how the utricle and saccule help us sense gravity, acceleration, head position, vertical orientation, and linear movement. The conversation highlights why otolith dysfunction may contribute to symptoms such as rocking, swaying, bobbing, feeling pulled or pushed, floating, walking on marshmallows, disorientation, and feeling “off.” The guests also explain how otolith dysfunction may show up in conditions such as BPPV, vestibular migraine, PPPD/3PD, Mal de Débarquement Syndrome, concussion, dysautonomia, POTS, Parkinson’s disease, and other complex vestibular presentations. This episode is especially helpful for vestibular clinicians, physical therapists, audiologists, patients with chronic dizziness, and anyone trying to better understand why dizziness is not always “spinning.”