Vertigo can be caused by a variety of conditions, but it is typically characterized by a spinning sensation, lightheadedness and dizziness. You may even experience double vision. Vertigo can be due to migraines, inner ear infections, head injuries, tumors and strokes.
However, most vertigo involves a problem with the inner ear. One of the most common types of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which can affect about 3% of U.S. adults in their lifetime. This means that more than 9.8 million Americans could end up experiencing BPPV. Vestibular rehab can help you treat vertigo and figure out how to stop feeling dizzy from BPPV.
Vestibular rehab can help you stop feeling dizzy
Vestibular rehab, or vestibular therapy, is an effective treatment for vertigo. As part of a vestibular therapy plan, a physical therapist will perform tests to determine the cause of your vertigo. You’ll also be asked questions such as:
- How long the vertigo lasts
- When it first started
- If you have nausea with the spinning
- What you’re doing when you experience vertigo
How does vestibular rehab help you stop feeling dizzy from BPPV?
Your physical therapist’s goal is to eliminate the symptoms of vertigo and get you moving again. Physical therapy for vertigo can take many forms. To help relieve BPPV, your physical therapist will often treat you with a series of movements. Some of the movement types your therapist might use include:
- Canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) — This technique is also referred to as the Epley maneuver. CRP typically includes trunk and patterned head movements designed to move the displaced otoliths in the inner ear. It’s reported to have a more than 95% success rate for BPPV patients.
- Brandt-Daroff exercise — This exercise involves moving from a seated position to lying on your side with your head at about a 45-degree angle. The Brandt-Daroff exercise is intended to help teach the brain to compensate for vertigo or dizziness. Researchers report that it has up to a 98% success rate when used for a one- to two-week period.
Home exercises are also an important part of treatment for vertigo. Your physical therapist will typically give you specific home exercises to do on a daily basis.
Whatcom Physical Therapy offers vestibular rehab that can help you learn how to stop feeling dizzy
Not sure where to turn for vestibular rehab that can help you figure out how to stop feeling dizzy? Our Whatcom Physical Therapy team can help. We offer free screenings that can reveal the source of your vertigo and dizziness. Our team also excels at building personalized vestibular rehab plans designed to reduce your dizziness.
Currently, our team can even help you treat dizziness and vertigo from home. This is possible thanks to the virtual care physical therapy we offer, and you can even use this or any of our other therapy services without first getting a doctor’s referral.
Contact our team today for more information about vestibular rehab or to schedule your initial appointment.
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