Vertigo is a common ailment that affects a large number of people in Omaha and Papillion every year. And although it isn’t a life-threatening condition, it can affect their quality of life substantially. Ask anyone who suffers from Vertigo and they will tell you the attacks leave them feeling a sense of rocking, rotation, and spinning; and moving the head and body just makes the symptoms worse for them. Despite how common vertigo is, a large number of sufferers are unaware that physical therapy is one of the best and most effective ways to manage and treat vertigo. Gina V. Physical Therapy has been using physical therapy as a useful technique for treating Vertigo for years.
The technique and course of treatment for vertigo depends a lot on the cause of the problem and the patient’s individual situation. Vertigo can occur for a number of reasons, including vascular/circulatory impairment, infections in the inner ear, imbalances in the ear, issues with the cervical spine, problems with the central nervous system, and, most commonly, due to loose crystals in the ear that cause BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).
What exactly is BBPV and How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Typically BBPV is one of the most common causes of Vertigo and often caused by a mechanical change in the inner ear which causes loose crystals. When crystals become loose, it can cause disruption of your ear fluid which essentially creates a false sense of movement. This is why when you move your head or change from prone to supine position (laying down or facing down) will cause a sensation of vertigo. In studies conducted by physical therapists, it has been shown that 2-4% of the world’s population is a risk for BBPV or in other words loose crystals in their ear. The statistics for those living in the Omaha metro area no different.
Does all Vertigo come from BPPV?
No, typically BPPV is a very common cause of Vertigo but not all forms of vertigo come from BPPV or loose crystals. However determining if vertigo is caused by BPPV is a relatively easy process involving the Dix-Hallpike Test which essentially is a non-invase test that takes just a short of amount (usually minutes) to test if your vertigo is coming from the crystals in your ear.
Depending on the cause for your vertigo, you may need a different approach: as always, be sure to consult with a medical professional about what physical therapy might be right for you.
Here’s how a physical therapist can help vertigo patients
Gina V. Physical Therapy can help you to deal with your vertigo in many ways. Here are a few of the advantages that physical therapy has for vertigo patients:
- Our Physical Therapists can assess your problem and see how mild or severe your case of vertigo is. This is the most basic step, and it determines the rest of your treatment plan. Simply adopting one of the maneuver techniques yourself can do you more harm than good, and so a visit to the physical therapist can help you get your treatment running the right way, and keep it on course.
- Once your symptoms have been evaluated, Gina V. Physical Therapy will suggest therapeutic exercises that can reduce the intensity of your symptoms, or in some cases, eliminate them entirely. They will also advise you on the frequency of the exercise, and the general routine to follow, based on your individual requirements.
- Gina V. Phyical Therapy can/will also periodically re-evaluate you to check if there is any reduction in your symptoms. Regular evaluation helps to track your progress, and can also help to determine the effectiveness of the exercises that your therapist has given you. Depending on the results, you may be advised to continue, change, or stop your exercise routine.
Gina V. Physical therapy can also help you with any queries that you may have, and dispel any common myths and misconceptions. Opting for physical therapy can be one of the best courses of action for patients suffering from vertigo, and it’s well worth discussing with your doctor and physical therapist. If you need more personal assistance and would like to see how physical therapy for Vertigo can help you visit us here.
Does exercise help with vertigo?
The short answer is yes but it depends on what caused your vertigo and how debilitating it is for you in your current state. The specific types of exercises will depend on your unique situation which your physical therapist will be able to diagnose and prescribe for you. Often times however the exercises your physical therapy will recommend can help improve your balance, help you brain to focus and help to focus your vision and correct the differences between your inner ears which are causing vertigo in the first place.
What causes dizziness?
Most commonly, patients who are over the age of 65 report feeling dizziness and feelings of imbalance. It is reported that more than 9 million people visit the doctor or a physical therapist due to feeling dizziness. More often then not, dizziness by itself is not a very serious debilitating condition but rather a symptom of a larger issue. This is why getting a professional diagnosis by a physical therapist will greatly benefit you. They can tell you exactly what is causing your dizziness and the best form of treatment. When you make an appointment the physical therapist will evaluate your condition by assessing:
- balance
- how you walk
- mobility
- neck and arm mobility
- inner ear testing
Physical therapy for vertigo: Does it work?
The answer is yes, more often than not, physical therapy for vertigo is the only form of treatment needed to resolve your issue. If a few rare cases, there many been a need for a post-treatment plan.
Are You Suffering
Please contact Gina V. Physical Therapy to get the relief you deserve. We want you to get back to doing the things you love to do.
Tags: Dizziness Gina V. Physical Therapy PT Vertigo
