Vertigo Physiotherapy Treatment
Treatment for vertigo needs to be concentrated on the side that is causing the dizziness.
What Causes BPPV?
The semi-circular canals sit in the inner ear and form part of your balance system (vestibular apparatus). They give information about head movement through space. In BPPV, little crystals (called otoconia) escape from part of the vestibular apparatus and float around in the semi-circular canals, giving inaccurate information about head movement which results in dizziness. This dizziness is usually provoked by head movement, particularly rolling in bed and sitting up from lying.
Some people are diagnosed with a form of Meniere’s disease which can give similar symptoms, although Meniere’s disease can last for a few years before the person goes into remission. Those with Meniere’s disease can be left with symptoms of ringing in the ears, which is different from other forms of vertigo and dizziness.
There may be other causes of dizziness and BPPV, which may include inflammation in the inner ear and the balance organs, neck pain or cervical spine disorders. These causes need to be ruled out before treatment can begin.
What’s the Difference Between Vertigo and Dizziness?
How do You Know if you Have BPPV?
You may get a sudden episode of vertigo, you may experience sudden dizziness or nausea, moving your head may cause you to get dizzy, or your eyes may go into a flickering, which is called a nystagmus. Even rolling over in bed or just looking up can trigger dizziness or severe vertigo in some cases.
Because dizziness and vertigo are so common, it’s very important to have BPPV diagnosed correctly. At our clinic in Brisbane we have vertigo specialists who can do this, or your GP may use several tests to be able to diagnose the type of Vertigo you have and which side it’s occurring on.
How Many Vertigo Treatments is Enough?
We find that in our clinic a lot of BPPV symptoms have gone away after only two treatments. In the few days following a treatment it’s important that the patient takes good care of themselves to ensure the little ear rocks do not go back into the canal where they were stuck. Preventative methods include:
- sleeping propped up at a 45 degree angle
- Avoiding sudden movements of the head and neck
- No bending over
- No picking up heavy objects
- No looking up into the sky
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for vertigo?
There are a few methods for treating vertigo. Medications from a doctor such as steroids can reduce inflammation of the inner ear, medication to reduce water buildup can help. We recommend vertigo physiotherapy to remove the blockage.
What triggers vertigo attacks?
Vertigo can be brought on by a variety of things, including sudden movements, inflammation in the inner ear, decreased blood flow to the base of the brain, and others.
