Vertigo and Dizziness
Dizziness is an umbrella term often used to describe a number of different sensations, including vertigo, unsteadiness, and unbalanced.
Although often used interchangeably, the true definition of vertigo describes a spinning sensation of the environment around you.
The most common type of vertigo is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which refers to a problem within your inner ear. Often it is referred to as the crystals in the inner ear. It is important to differentiate this from other causes of vertigo, and more general dizziness. Physical Therapists are trained in the identification of BPPV and other disorders associated with vertigo and dizziness to ensure you are on the correct treatment pathway.
Treatment of BPPV includes identification of specific eye movements occurring during the use of a technique called the Dix-Hallpike Maneuver. If these eye movements do not occur, your dizziness likely has another cause. If identified, it can be treated through a series of movements called the Eply Maneuver.
Other types of dizziness can also be treated in Physical Therapy through techniques known as habituation and graded exposure. Certain conditions respond much more favorably to Physical Therapy than others, and only your Physical Therapist is trained in which conditions these are. Further, they are trained on when to refer you to a specialist if Physical Therapy is unable to help.
BPPV can often be treated in as little as 1-2 visits. If this isn’t the case you likely have another cause for your dizziness, all of which a Physical Therapist can help you with.
FAQ’s for Vertigo
I was given Meclizine (Antivert) but it’s not helping with my symptoms.
Medications are only effective with certain types of dizziness, and can actually make certain types of dizziness, like BPPV worse rather than better. An evaluation with a physical therapist will help determine the underlying cause of your dizziness to help deliver the most effective treatment.What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?
Dizziness is an impairment in “spacial orientation,” which is different from vertigo, which is a distinct spinning sensation of the environment around you. They typically have very different causes, and the specific sensation that you’re having, along with the timing of onset and how long it lasts can help with your diagnosis.