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Receiving physical therapy treatment for vertigo can help to reduce or eliminate symptoms. As we discussed in our first post, vertigo is the feeling of motion when you are completely still. It occurs when there is a problem with the vestibular system. This leads to the primary symptom of perceived motion, as well as dizziness, nausea/vomiting, balance issues, and headache.
It’s difficult to establish firm figures on the prevalence of vestibular disorders. It is believed that millions of Americans experience vertigo and other related symptoms each year. One study reported that as many as 35% of adults over the age of 40—about 69 million—have dealt with a vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives. There are several conditions that can cause vertigo, such as inner ear infections, migraines, stroke, surgery, and head injuries. The two most common issues are vestibular neuritis and benign paroxysmal vertigo disorder (BPPV).
Vestibular neuritis and benign paroxysmal vertigo disorder (BPPV)
Vestibular neuritis results from inflammation within the inner ear, which consists of a system of fluid–filled sacs and tubes called the labyrinth. The main symptoms of vestibular neuritis are sudden and severe vertigo, as well as dizziness, balance difficulties, nausea and/or vomiting, and difficulties with concentration.
BPPV is the most common vestibular disorder and the leading cause of vertigo. It can affect people of any age, but is most common in adults over 60 years, at which point its prevalence is about 9%. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear break off and move to another part of the inner ear, where they cause an unwanted flow of fluid. This tricks the brain into thinking that motion is occurring when things are at rest. When the head is moved in certain directions, it causes the crystals to stimulate nerve endings in the canal, which leads to dizziness. Other symptoms of BPPV include nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and a resulting loss of balance or unsteadiness.
The good news for patients is that BPPV and other causes of vertigo are very treatable. Physical therapy treatment for vertigo is effective and proven to significantly reduce symptoms. Many cases of vertigo are resolved in just a few treatment sessions. The specific treatments used depends on what condition is present, but some of the most common interventions are listed below:
- Balance retraining exercises. Patient shifts their body weight in various directions to improve the way information is sent to the brain
- Gaze stabilization exercises. Patient makes rapid side–to–side head turns and focusing on an object. This helps the brain adapt to new signaling from the balance system
- Epley maneuver: A maneuver that relocates free–floating crystals within the inner ear. Found to resolve vertigo in approximately 90–95% of patients
- Balance retraining exercises help patients who continue to experience balance issues after vertigo has subsided
Research supports physical therapy for vertigo
Several studies have shown that physical therapy is indeed effective for patients with vertigo. In one systematic review published in 2020, researchers reviewed 20 randomized and 2 non–randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for 1,876 older adults with vertigo, dizziness, or balance disorders. Moderate quality evidence showed that these interventions were superior to usual care for improving balance, mobility, and other related symptoms.
We hope this series of posts helped you better understand why physical therapy is a valuable treatment option for vertigo. To learn more, call us for more information or to schedule an appointment.
