Physical Therapy For Vertigo
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Have you ever experienced dizziness? Do you feel like everything around you is spinning, or maybe your balance is off? These can all be signs of vertigo. Vertigo can vary on how it makes you feel, it can cause you to feel sick and nauseous or you may not really notice it at all.
Vertigo can also go away quickly or for some it can last for hours or even days.
Woman experiencing vertigo.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the sensation that you are spinning or the room is spinning. The spinning can happen is multiple directions.
Is Lightheaded The Same as Vertigo?
Feeling lightheaded is typically not a symptom of vertigo. Lightheadedness is often related to blood flow or pre-syncope (passing out). Vertigo is the sensation of spinning.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo happens when the brain receives incorrect information from the inner ear balance organs. There are 3 major systems that provide information on position and balance.
- Vision
- Vestibular (inner ear)
- Proprioception (Input from the legs and body)
The brain receives messages from all 3 systems and organizes the information. It then creates a motor or movement response in your muscles to help you adapt and remain upright and balanced.
When information from the Inner Ear is incorrect due to a problem with the inner ear balance vestibular organs, the mixed signals can cause symptoms or vertigo.
Vestibular Organs
What Are Common Inner Ear Issues that Cause Vertigo?
Vertigo can be caused by inner ear issues such as:
- BPPV – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is when tiny calcium particles become dislodged from their chamber (Utircle) and end up in one of the Semicircular Canals.
- Meniere’s Disease –This is usually caused by increase pressure or buildup of fluid in the inner ear
- Vestibular neuritis/Labyrinthitis – Usually related to infection in inner ear
How Do You Know if You Have Vertigo?
Signs and symptoms of vertigo can include any of the following:
- Dizziness
- Sense of spinning (head or your surroundings)
- Loss of balance
- Moving of head or body (rolling over in bed)
- Nausea or vomiting
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and feel you may have vertigo, you can be evaluated by a Physical Therapist who is trained in Vestibular Rehab and Dysfunction.
Does Physical Therapy Help Vertigo?
A physical therapist may perform specialized tests of your balance systems. This may involve positioning the head is different positions to provoke the symptoms of vertigo to determine what part of the vestibular or balance system is involved.
There are specific techniques that can be used to reposition calcium crystals in the case of BPPV. This may include the Epley Maneuver or the Log Roll Maneuver. In other cases, therapy may involve exercises to help train the brain to interpret balance information more appropriately.
What Foods Should You Avoid with Vertigo?
Vertigo can be related to fluid in your ear, so avoiding salt and sugar can be beneficial if you have vertigo Avoiding foods with tyramine, which can be related to migraines which can also be helpful with some types of vertigo.
What Can I Do to Stop Myself from Getting Vertigo?
If you have vertigo and need immediate relief, try these options initially:
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Sleep with your head slightly elevated.
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Turn your head slowly throughout the day.
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Avoid looking up and placing your neck in extension.
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Avoid looking down too fast
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Get out of bed slowly.
If you are experiencing Vertigo symptoms, call your doctor and see if you may benefit from physical therapy. In some cases, an Ear-Nose-Throat Specialist or an Oto-neurologist is needed for advanced diagnostic testing and treatment.
By: Liz Brabston, PTA with Ehren Allen, DPT, COMT
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