Finding Balance: Physical Therapy for Dizziness and Vertigo

Vertigo—a sensation of spinning or dizziness—can be debilitating, making simple tasks like walking or driving daunting. Whether triggered by inner ear issues, neurological conditions, or other underlying causes, vertigo poses challenges that affect mobility, productivity, and overall well-being. While medications can help manage the symptoms, physical therapy is highly effective in treating vertigo symptoms and helping you recover your balance and quality of life.

Understanding Vertigo and its Impact

Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease, and it can be cause by several different issues including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease, or even as a symptom of a more serious health issue, such as a stroke. It may present as dizziness, nausea, imbalance, headaches, and difficulty focusing.

The Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for vertigo primarily focuses on vestibular rehabilitation. This specialized form of therapy targets the vestibular system, which includes the inner ear and its connections to the brain. The goals of vestibular rehabilitation are to:

1. Determine The Cause: Your PT will evaluate your vital signs, eye movements, and perform positional testing to determine what is causing your vertigo symptoms.

2. Reduce Symptoms: Techniques such as Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (including the Epley Maneuver for BPPV) aim to reposition displaced inner ear crystals that cause vertigo, providing immediate relief in many cases.

3. Improve Balance: Through tailored exercises and maneuvers, physical therapists help patients regain stability and reduce sensitivity to motion, thereby enhancing overall balance and coordination.

4. Enhance Adaptation: Vestibular rehabilitation also includes exercises that stimulate the brain's ability to compensate for vestibular dysfunction, promoting adaptation and minimizing symptoms over time.

What to Expect During Physical Therapy Sessions

Initial sessions typically involve a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint the type and severity of vertigo. This assessment helps therapists design a personalized treatment plan tailored to the patient’s specific needs and goals. Treatment may include:

• Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to address muscle tension and joint stiffness that can exacerbate symptoms.

• Exercises: Eye-head coordination exercises, gaze stabilization exercises, and balance training to improve sensory integration and reduce dizziness.

• Education: Patients are educated on strategies to manage vertigo triggers in daily life, as well as home exercises to complement clinic-based therapy.

If you or someone you know is experiencing vertigo or dizziness, see a physical therapist for vertigo at Restorative Therapy Co and get relief from your symptoms! For more information about our services or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 757-578-2958, visit www.restorativetherapyco.com or email us at info@restorativetherapyco.com. We are participating providers with a variety of insurance plans and no physician referral is needed for your initial physical therapy evaluation! We want to help you feel well and be well.

Contributed by Tara Pandiscia, PT, DPT, Geriatric Clinical Specialist

Tara has been practicing as a Doctor of Physical Therapy since 2008 and has been part of the RTC team since 2020. She specializes in geriatrics, balance & fall prevention, vertigo and vestibular therapy, and Parkinson's Disease physical therapy.

Tara enjoys singing, dancing, and performing in local theaters and with The Doorway Singers.