ARTICLE TYPE : REVIEW ARTICLE
Published on : 17 Oct 2026,
Volume - 2
Journal Title :
WebLog Journal of Physical Medicine
| WebLog J Phys Med
| WJPM
Source URL:
https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjpm.2026.j1701
Permanent Identifier (DOI) :
Metabolic Disorders Associated with Neck Pain and Dizziness - Pathophysiological Hypotheses, Clinical Associations, Assessment, and Rehabilitation Implications: A Narrative Review
2Professor, Ph. D. (Physiotherapy), Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
Abstract
Neck pain and dizziness frequently coexist, but they do not represent a single diagnostic syndrome. This structured narrative review examines whether diabetes and other metabolic or endocrine disorders contribute directly to neck pain or instead modify dizziness, imbalance, falls, sensory integration, and rehabilitation safety. The review narrows the scope, separates symptom phenotypes, distinguishes direct clinical associations from mechanistic hypotheses, and incorporates negative and conflicting findings. The strongest clinically relevant links concern diabetes-related peripheral or autonomic neuropathy, orthostatic symptoms, multisensory balance impairment, and falls risk. Population-level data support an association between diabetes and peripheral vestibular disorders, whereas a recent cross-sectional study found no group difference in vestibulo-ocular reflex measures, showing that vestibular involvement is not uniform. Evidence connecting metabolic disease specifically to common mechanical neck pain is substantially weaker and usually indirect.
Obesity, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, vitamin B12 deficiency, electrolyte abnormalities, and medication effects may contribute to pain, weakness, disequilibrium, or exercise intolerance, but they should not be treated as default explanations. The clinical framework prioritises symptom classification, neurological and cardiovascular safety screening, medication and complication review, targeted vestibular and cervical assessment, and coordinated medical referral. Major research needs include prospective phenotyping, standardised dizziness outcomes, objective vestibular and sensory testing, and trials that account for multimorbidity and treatment effect modifiers.
Keywords: Neck Pain; Dizziness; Vertigo; Diabetes Mellitus; Metabolic Disorders; Peripheral Vestibular Disorders; Autonomic Neuropathy; Orthostatic Hypotension; Falls; Rehabilitation
Citation
Meel T, Sharma S. Metabolic Disorders Associated with Neck Pain and Dizziness - Pathophysiological Hypotheses, Clinical Associations, Assessment, and Rehabilitation Implications: A Narrative Review. WebLog J Phys Med. wjpm.2026.j1701. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23607468