At Robbins we have therapists who are specially trained to evaluate and treat dizziness and imbalance. There are a number of dysfunctions that lead to vertigo and a trained physical therapist can help to determine the source and an appropriate course of treatment. Your physical therapist will use answers to some questions and perform tests to determine the causes of your vertigo and to assess your risk of falling. Depending on the results of the tests, your therapist may recommend further testing or consultation with your physician.
Based on your physical therapist’s evaluation and your goals for recovery, the therapist will customize a treatment plan for you. Your therapist’s main focus is to help you get moving again and manage the vertigo. Treatment may include specialized head and neck movements or other exercises to help eliminate your symptoms. Conditions such as BPPV have very specific tests and treatments which is why it is important to see a trained physical therapist to have your symptoms assessed and addressed.
Physical therapy treatments for dizziness can take many forms. The type of exercise that your therapist designs for you will depend on your unique problems and might include:
- Exercises to improve your balance
- Exercises to help the brain “correct” differences between your inner ears
- Exercises to improve your ability to focus your eyes and vision
- As well as exercises to improve your strength, flexibility, and heart health—with the goal of improving overall physical health and wellbeing.
Other symptoms you may experience include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Abnormal eye movements
More Information:
A number of conditions can produce vertigo. Some of these conditions cannot be affected by physical therapy and may require further medical intervention; your physical therapist will know when to refer you to your doctor. For most conditions physical therapy can address some of the dizziness and imbalance that results. Some of the conditions that cause dizziness or imbalance include but are not limited to:
- Inner ear infections or disorders
- Tumors, such as acoustic neuroma
- Surgery that removes or injures the inner ear or its nerves
- Head
- A hole in the inner ear
- Stroke
- Benign Paroxysma Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Labrynthitis
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)
- Anterior Inferior Cerebral Artery Ischemia
- Meniere’s Disease/Syndrome
- Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Perilymph Fistula
- Vestibular Paroxysmia
- Ototoxicity
- Autoimmune
- Genetic Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cerebellar Degeneration
- Chiari Malformation
- Vestibular Migraine
If you have vertigo accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, immediately call 911 so that an ambulance can be sent for you as these symptoms may indicate a more serious medical emergency:
- Double vision
- Difficulty speaking
- A change in alertness
- Arm or leg weakness
- Inability to walk
