Balance / Vertigo

Vertigo is a common condition that leads to dizziness, spinning sensation, difficulty with balance, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Many seek medical care for symptoms of vertigo, but most people don’t know that physical therapy can be an essential part of treatment.

What causes vertigo and difficulty balancing?

• Central nervous system disorders such as stroke or tumor
• Neck pain
• Vascular disorders
• Meniere’s disease
• Inner ear infections
• Visual dysfunction
• Neuropathy
• Nerve injuries
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

How can physical therapy help?

Physical therapists are trained in addressing balance disorders with various treatment techniques. One of the main goals of treatment is to reduce the risk of falling to avoid future injury. Treatment plans for balance disorders typically include some combination of the following:

• Coordination exercises
• Proprioception/balance exercises
• Flexibility and range of motion activities
• Strengthening
• Postural endurance
• Visual tracking

Physical therapy is the number one treatment if you have been diagnosed specifically with BPPV. A mechanical change in the inner ear causes BPPV. Loose crystals get dislodged and travel into the inner ear’s semi-circular canals, which creates a false sense of movement and leads to dizziness and vertigo. BPPV is easy to diagnose and treat and typically resolves with one or two visits with a physical therapist.

The physical therapists at Breakthru Physical Therapy + Fitness can evaluate the cause of your vertigo and balance disorder and start you on a treatment plan to reduce your risk of falls and future injury. Schedule an appointment to get started!