Conquer Dizziness: How PT Can Help BPPV
Are you experiencing dizziness without realizing that physical therapists can treat it? You’re not alone. Recently, we’ve noticed an increasing number of patients coming through our doors with one common complaint: dizziness. In this blog post, we’ll discuss Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and how physical therapy can help you regain your balance and conquer dizziness.
BPPV is a common inner ear condition that leads to sudden, brief bouts of dizziness. Your inner ear communicates with your brain through tiny calcium particles, helping it maintain a sense of your head’s position. However, BPPV occurs when these calcium particles become dislodged, supplying your brain with inaccurate information about the position of your head in space. This misinformation results in dizziness, disturbing your sense of balance. Episodes of dizziness are often triggered by swift head movements, like rolling over in bed, bending down to tie your shoes, or making rapid head turns. Typically, the dizziness feels as though the room is spinning for about 10 to 30 seconds and may lead to sensations of nausea and unsteadiness.
Physical therapists can assess your symptoms and determine if BPPV is the culprit behind your dizziness. A straightforward treatment known as ‘canalith repositioning’ can be remarkably effective, sometimes even within a single session. This maneuver involves utilizing various head positions to guide the misplaced calcium particles back to their proper place, restoring accurate information to your brain regarding your head’s position in space. Physical therapists can then work with you on exercises to strengthen your vestibular system and enhance your balance. They can also teach you at-home maneuvers to address any future symptoms.
It’s crucial to have a physical therapist evaluate your condition and confirm the diagnosis of BPPV before attempting any treatments on your own to avoid potential complications. If you’re struggling with dizziness, our team at Dynamic PT is here to help! Please call (312) 643-1555 or email [email protected] with any questions or to schedule your consultation today.
