Commonly defined as a sensation that the surrounding environment is spinning when you’re not, vertigo can make you feel dizzy or off-balance.
There are many potential causes of vertigo, which can be an incredibly debilitating disorder.
These include:
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) are dislodged from their normal location and collected in the inner ear. The inner ear transmits signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. It helps you keep your balance. BPPV can occur for no apparent reason and may be associated with age.
Meniere’s disease. This inner ear disorder is thought to be caused by a buildup of fluid and fluctuating pressure in the ear. Meniere’s disease can trigger episodes of vertigo, as well as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss.
Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. This type of inner ear problem is usually related to a viral infection, which causes inflammation in the inner ear around nerves essential for helping the body sense balance.
Other causes include head injuries, headaches, diabetes, certain medications, shingles in or near your ear, and many more.
How Physiotherapy Addresses Vertigo
He is certified in vertigo & dizziness rehabilitation. Elia uses Vestibular Therapy, which is a specialized type of physiotherapy that focuses on disorders of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.
What to Expect
During the initial assessment, we will take a patient’s medical history, then do multiple assessments that assess inner ear function, and its connection to the brain, provide a diagnosis. Based on that, we create a treatment plan and discuss it with the patient.
How One Patient Experienced Improvement
One of our patients came in with severe vertigo, for which he was sent to the ER. He was given medication, but it didn’t work. The patient’s primary care doctor also gave him medication, but didn’t know what else to do. Finally, one of the patient’s friends, who had a similar issue in the past, referred the patient to physiotherapy. When the patient came in, we listened to him and assessed his symptoms.
The patient had an inner ear issue that was fairly easy to treat, and he had a significant improvement in the quality of life,” said Elia.
Help for Other Conditions
Some other issues we see are back and neck pain, sports injuries like sprains and strains, pelvic floor issues, concussions and many others.
If you’re suffering with vertigo or another issue that hasn’t responded to conventional medical care, we invite you to book an appointment today with one of our physiotherapists!
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