If you’ve ever felt faint, unsteady, or like the room is spinning, you’re not alone. These unsettling sensations are common, but they’re often misunderstood. Many people assume dizziness and vertigo are the same thing, but they’re not. Knowing the difference between dizziness vs vertigo can be the key to finding the right treatment and finally getting relief.
So, what’s the difference between vertigo and dizziness?
What Is Vertigo vs Dizziness?
To understand how to treat or manage balance-related symptoms effectively, it’s important to first clarify what you’re experiencing. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, vertigo and dizziness describe different sensations with different root causes. Understanding the distinction between vertigo vs dizziness is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Dizziness is a general term that describes a range of sensations related to feeling off-balance or unsteady. People experiencing dizziness might say they feel lightheaded, faint, woozy, or disoriented. It can be a vague sensation, often without a clear trigger or direction. Dizziness does not typically involve a spinning sensation, but it can make a person feel as though they might lose their balance or even consciousness. Vertigo, on the other hand, is a specific subtype of dizziness characterized by a false sense of motion. Most often, it feels like the room is spinning or moving when it’s actually still. People may also feel as though they themselves are rotating or swaying, even when standing or sitting still. At Moore MyoWorx, we also see cases where muscle dysfunction in the neck and jaw contributes to symptoms that mimic or exacerbate both dizziness and vertigo. Tight muscles and trigger points can impact nerve function and blood flow, interfering with the body’s balance systems.
The confusion between vertigo vs dizziness is understandable, since they can feel similar and are often described in overlapping ways. However, recognizing the specific nature of your symptoms is crucial for finding the right path forward.
What is the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?
While many people describe their symptoms as simply “dizzy,” distinguishing between dizziness and vertigo is critical for identifying the correct underlying issue and choosing the appropriate treatment. Though they may feel similar at first, the sensations of dizziness vs vertigo are quite different in how they present and what they indicate.
While dizziness may cause discomfort or a sense of instability, it does not involve the spinning or swaying illusion that defines vertigo. Conversely, vertigo isn’t just a symptom—it’s a diagnostic category of its own, often with episodic patterns and distinct triggers like head movements or inner ear disturbances.
At Moore MyoWorx, we find that myofascial and muscular dysfunctions in the neck, shoulders, and jaw can play a significant role in both dizziness and vertigo. Tension in these areas can affect neural signaling and blood flow, sometimes mimicking vestibular disorders. This overlap underscores the importance of proper assessment to differentiate between the two and to identify any contributing muscular issues.
Understanding the vertigo vs dizziness difference helps patients explain their symptoms more accurately and enables healthcare providers to narrow down the cause and develop a targeted treatment plan. In the next section, we’ll break down the symptoms of vertigo vs dizziness in more detail.
Vertigo vs Dizziness Symptoms
To further clarify the distinction between vertigo vs dizziness, the following table highlights the key symptoms associated with each condition:
| Symptom | Dizziness | Vertigo |
| Primary Sensation | Lightheadedness, feeling faint or unsteady | Spinning or swaying sensation |
| Movement Sensation | No false sense of motion | Strong illusion of motion (spinning or rotating) |
| Duration | Can be brief or persistent | Often occurs in episodes; can last seconds to hours |
| Balance Impact | Mild to moderate balance issues | Moderate to severe balance disruption |
| Associated Nausea | Sometimes present | Frequently present, may include vomiting |
| Common Triggers | Standing up quickly, dehydration, anxiety | Head movement, position changes, inner ear conditions |
| Related Systems | Cardiovascular, neurological, psychological | Vestibular (inner ear), occasionally neurological |
| Onset | Gradual or sudden | Often sudden, triggered by movement |
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a provider who can evaluate both your inner ear function and musculoskeletal health, especially if traditional approaches haven’t provided relief.
Vertigo vs Dizziness vs Syncope: Don’t Confuse These Terms
When it comes to sensations of imbalance or faintness, three terms are often used interchangeably: vertigo, dizziness, and syncope. While they may feel similar and overlap in description, they refer to very different experiences with unique causes and treatment pathways. As previously discussed, dizziness refers to a general feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or disorientation. Vertigo, by contrast, is a specific type of dizziness marked by the illusion of movement, most often spinning or swaying, when there is none. Then there’s syncope, which is fundamentally different from both dizziness and vertigo. Syncope refers to a temporary loss of consciousness, more commonly known as fainting. It is usually caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure, which reduces blood flow to the brain. This can happen due to standing up too quickly, dehydration, emotional stress, or cardiovascular issues such as arrhythmias.
The key feature that separates syncope from both dizziness and vertigo is the actual loss of consciousness. While dizziness might feel like you could pass out, and vertigo might make it hard to stay upright, syncope involves a complete blackout, even if just for a few seconds. People often describe a “graying out” of vision, ringing in the ears, nausea, or sweating before fainting. Recovery is typically quick but can leave the individual confused or weak for a short time afterward.
At Moore MyoWorx, we take a comprehensive approach when evaluating symptoms that affect balance or consciousness. While myofascial dysfunction is often involved in dizziness and vertigo, syncope usually points to a cardiovascular or neurological issue that requires a different diagnostic and treatment approach.
In short, understanding the distinctions between vertigo vs dizziness vs syncope is not just about accurate terminology. It’s about ensuring safe, appropriate, and effective care.
Dizziness vs Vertigo vs Lightheaded: Subtle But Important Distinctions
When patients describe feeling “off,” they often use terms like dizzy, lightheaded, or spinning. These sensations can be vague and subjective, making it challenging for both patients and healthcare providers to determine the root cause.
Lightheadedness has its own distinctive profile. This sensation is often described as feeling faint, as though you’re about to pass out. Some patients liken it to floating, being “up in the clouds,” or experiencing a brief “rush” in the head. It’s more often associated with blood flow issues than balance system dysfunction. Common causes of lightheadedness include low blood pressure, dehydration, anemia, or standing up too quickly. Unlike vertigo, lightheadedness does not involve a sensation of motion or spinning.
The challenge for clinicians lies in how patients describe their symptoms. One person’s “dizzy” might mean vertigo; another’s might mean lightheadedness. These descriptions can overlap and confuse the diagnostic process, especially if patients aren’t sure how to articulate what they’re feeling.
At Moore MyoWorx, we listen closely to how our patients describe their symptoms and ask targeted follow-up questions to differentiate between these sensations. For example, we ask whether the feeling involves spinning, swaying, floating, or a sensation of nearly blacking out. These details help us distinguish between lightheadedness vs vertigo vs dizziness
Recognizing the differences between dizziness, vertigo, and lightheadedness is the first step toward restoring your balance and confidence.
What Causes Vertigo and Dizziness: What Triggers Each?
Understanding what causes vertigo and dizziness is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Though the symptoms may feel similar, the triggers for each are often quite different. Some factors, like stress and anxiety, can contribute to both conditions, while others are more specific to either the inner ear (vertigo) or systemic imbalances (dizziness). Below is a breakdown of the most common causes and triggers for each, along with answers to frequently asked questions.
Side-by-Side Breakdown: Common Triggers of Vertigo vs Dizziness
| Vertigo Triggers | Dizziness Triggers |
| Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) | Dehydration |
| Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis | Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) |
| Meniere’s disease | Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) |
| Head or neck injury (e.g., whiplash) | Medication side effects |
| Inner ear infections | Anemia or poor circulation |
| Migraine-associated vertigo | Hyperventilation or panic attacks |
| Tumors affecting the vestibular nerve (rare) | Neurological conditions (e.g., MS, stroke) |
| Cervicogenic vertigo (neck muscle dysfunction) | Prolonged standing or sudden position changes |
Can Stress Cause Dizziness and Vertigo?
Yes, stress can absolutely be a trigger for both dizziness and vertigo. Chronic stress activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, which can lead to changes in breathing patterns, muscle tension, and blood pressure, all of which can contribute to dizziness. In some people, especially those with underlying vestibular issues, stress can trigger or worsen vertigo symptoms.
Can Anxiety Cause Vertigo and Dizziness?
Absolutely. Anxiety is one of the most common and often overlooked causes of dizziness. During a panic or anxiety attack, rapid breathing (hyperventilation) can reduce carbon dioxide levels in the blood, resulting in lightheadedness and dizziness. Anxiety can also increase muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders, which may affect balance and trigger cervicogenic dizziness or vertigo.
In some cases, anxiety can cause or be caused by vertigo, creating a feedback loop where the fear of symptoms perpetuates them. This is why a holistic approach, like the one we use at
Treatment for Vertigo and Dizziness: Different Paths for Similar Symptoms
Since vertigo and dizziness stem from very different causes, they require entirely different treatment strategies. Treating dizziness as if it were vertigo—or vice versa—can prolong symptoms and delay recovery.
For example, someone with vertigo due to displaced inner ear crystals (like in BPPV) may need precise head maneuvers, while a patient with dizziness caused by low blood pressure or muscular tension in the neck may benefit from hydration, positional training, or myofascial therapy.
While some patients benefit from medicine for dizziness and vertigo, such as vestibular suppressants (e.g., meclizine or dimenhydrinate) or anti-nausea medications, these options are typically short-term solutions. Medications may reduce the discomfort, but they rarely address the root cause.
Moore MyoWorx Therapy for Dizziness and Vertigo
At Moore MyoWorx, we specialize in a unique, integrative approach to treating both vertigo and dizziness, especially when traditional treatments fall short. Many patients come to us after months or even years of misdiagnosis or partial relief. What sets our therapy apart is our focus on the neuromuscular and myofascial components that are often overlooked.
Our proprietary Moore MyoWorx treatment protocol evaluates and treats muscle imbalances, nerve compression, and postural dysfunctions that can affect blood flow, nerve signaling, and vestibular input. Tight muscles in the neck, shoulders, and jaw can contribute significantly to balance issues, especially when they interfere with the cranial nerves or brainstem function.
By using targeted soft tissue therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and corrective exercises, we help restore normal function to the musculoskeletal system and reduce strain on the nervous system. For example, patients with cervicogenic vertigo, a type of vertigo stemming from neck dysfunction, often experience dramatic improvements once muscular imbalances are addressed.
Unlike traditional treatments that may only manage symptoms, Moore MyoWorx focuses on resolving the root cause. We also take into account how stress and anxiety contribute to symptoms and offer strategies to reduce these triggers as part of a holistic care plan.
If you’ve tried other vertigo vs dizziness treatments without lasting success, or if your symptoms don’t clearly fit into a single diagnosis, our approach may offer the relief you’ve been searching for. We don’t just treat symptoms—we restore balance from the inside out.
Vertigo vs Dizziness: Knowing the Difference Helps You Heal Faster
If you’ve ever felt off-balance, lightheaded, or like the world is spinning around you, you’re not alone. These disorienting symptoms are often grouped under the general label of “dizziness,” but not all dizziness is created equal. Distinguishing between vertigo vs dizziness is more than just a matter of terminology; it’s a crucial step toward effective treatment and lasting relief.
Many people come to us frustrated by months or even years of being told their symptoms are “in their head” or “just anxiety.” In reality, many cases of both vertigo and dizziness have a physical origin, often rooted in muscle dysfunction, nerve compression, or postural imbalances. Moore MyoWorx’s holistic, neuromuscular approach is designed to uncover and treat these hidden contributors so you can finally find relief.
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward steady ground and a clearer mind.
