Do you get dizzy when you get out of bed or walk to your car? Do you have trouble concentrating? Do you feel tired, dizzy, or nauseous? Vertigo is a disorder caused by a malfunction of your balance system. Physical therapy is an important part of recovering from balance disorders such as vertigo.
Finding a physical therapist who has experience treating balance disorders is one of the best things you can do to help yourself recover. Our physical therapists have extensive experience in vertigo rehabilitation and are eager to assist you. To schedule an evaluation, contact Total Care Physical Therapy in Hillsborough.
What exactly is vertigo?
People who suffer from vertigo describe feeling dizzy or off-balance, which can lead to nausea, tunnel vision, or even fainting spells. It frequently appears as if their world is spinning around them, making daily activities difficult.
The following are the most common causes of vertigo:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)- BPPV is an inner-ear infection. This type of infection occurs when microscopic calcium particles called “canaliths” clump up in the inner ear canals causing incorrect messages to be sent to the brain. These false messages affect balance.
- Meniere’s Disease is caused by a buildup of fluid and fluctuating pressures in the inner ear and has the same effect as BPPV. Meniere’s disease can cause long episodes of vertigo and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and even hearing loss in extreme cases.
- Vestibular neuritis (labyrinthitis)- Vestibular neuritis is another inner ear infection, which is typically viral. It causes the inner ear and surrounding nerves to become inflamed, leading to balance problems.
Some of the less common causes of vertigo include:
- Head or neck injury
- Migraines
- Medications
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
The most common signs and symptoms of vertigo are:
- Dizziness
- Nystagmus (uncontrollable eye movements)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Fainting
- Hearing loss
Physical therapy can relieve your symptoms and return you to your previous level of activity, regardless of the cause or presentation of your vertigo.
How can physical therapy help alleviate my symptoms?
If you suspect you have vertigo or a related balance disorder, you should see a doctor as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor will refer you to a physical therapist.
Physical therapy is a common treatment for vertigo and other balance issues, and our physical therapists are well-trained to help you get relief.
A full medical history, including any medications you are currently taking, will be taken as part of your physical therapy evaluation, as will an assessment of your cognition, strength, range of motion, balance, coordination, pain, and function. One of the following standardized measures will be used in testing:
- 6-Minute Walk Test
- Functional Reach Test
- Timed Up and Go (TUG)
The most common treatments for vertigo are:
- Vestibular rehabilitation – this form of physical therapy focuses on the vestibular system, located within the inner ear, and how we can strengthen it. The vestibular system sends gravitational messages to your brain about your body movements. Focusing on balance-specific exercises can help strengthen this system, thus diminishing the effects of vertigo.
- Canalith repositioning maneuvers – this form of physical therapy focuses on treatment-specific head and body movements for BPPV patients. These exercises help move the calcium deposits out of the inner ear canal to alleviate blockage and allow gravitational messages to be more readily received by the brain. As the blockage shrinks, the symptoms of vertigo will lessen.
In addition, mobility training with or without an assistive device such as a cane, strengthening exercises, balance retraining on different surfaces, and education in a home exercise program will be included in your sessions. It is critical that you continue your treatment at home.
Contact Total Care Physical Therapy today
Physical therapy is critical to resuming your previous level of activity. If you believe you are suffering from vertigo, please contact us at Total Care Physical Therapy in Hillsborough right away to alleviate all of your dizzying symptoms. We are here to help you create an individualized treatment plan.
