Garrett Wasson, PT, DPT and Ryne Foster, PT, DPT, OCS, FAFS
Spooner Physical Therapy – Desert Ridge
Dizziness and vertigo are very common complaints that bring a patient to visit their physician, just as common as back pain and headaches [1][2]. Vertigo can greatly affect many people’s daily lives but some do not even know that physical therapy can help! Many times, they are told the common treatment is medication or rest. However, the option of physical therapy to decrease or eliminate dizziness is an alternative and excellent option. This branch of physical therapy is called vestibular rehabilitation. Vestibular rehabilitation has been shown to be effective in improving symptoms associated with dizziness and vertigo.
Vestibular rehabilitation begins with diagnosing the cause of the dizziness. Some of the most common issues are BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), vestibular hypofunction, and cervicogenic (postural) dizziness. BPPV is an inner ear condition that is caused by the formation of crystals within the ear’s semi-circular canals, causing moderate to severe dizziness and vertigo while changing positions. Vestibular hypofunction is more of a general diagnosis but relates to dizziness that is caused from weakness or trauma to the vestibular nerve. Patients with vestibular hypofunction typically feel unstable or that the room is spinning. On the other hand, cervicogenic dizziness is related to neck issues caused by poor posture or significant muscle tightness and can be determined through evaluation by a physical therapist [4]. Some other forms of dizziness can be from poor eye sight, medications, or issues from neurological conditions including strokes, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis.
