Vertigo: Thinking About It Makes My Head Spin — Vestibular Physical Therapy, What to Expect

Dizzy spells and the unsettling feeling that the world is spinning around you might be vertigo — and physical therapy can help.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a specific kind of dizziness that creates the false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. It's usually provoked by movements like rolling over in bed or looking up. Symptoms can include a spinning sensation, nausea, and balance problems. Identifying the source is key to treating it — for example, the Epley maneuver is often used to treat Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Role of Physical Therapy

You'll meet with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy for a comprehensive exam. The therapist identifies the source of the problem and builds a treatment plan based on your unique needs, which may include:

• Vestibular Rehab: A specialized branch of physical therapy geared toward retraining the inner ear system.
• Gaze Stabilization: Exercises that help the eyes stay focused during head movement.
• Balance Training: Exercises that rebuild confidence and stability in daily movement.

With the right evaluation and treatment plan, vestibular physical therapy can help turn your world right-side up again.