Vertigo

Physical Therapy for Dizziness & Vertigo

Dizzy sensations are something we've all experienced. This can include being unable to focus, unable to see straight or can't stand upright without swaying and/or falling. Sometimes, your peripheral vision goes dark for a few moments. This is called "tunnel vision." 

Vertigo is different from dizziness - dizziness is quite common and can be caused by many different factors. Dizziness can be described as "lightheadedness." Vertigo, however, is a physiological factor that is literally causing imbalance in your body. Some have reported feeling like that are "spinning" or "rocking" as they are sitting still. 

At FYZICAL Riverwoods, we are experts in treating vertigo, BPPV, dizziness and other vestibular disorders with physical therapy. If you are experiencing dizziness, do not hesitate to contact us at FYZICAL Niles. Direct access allows you to contact us directly, without a prescription.

Dizziness: Causes and Symptoms

Just a few of the many factors that can lead to dizziness include overexertion, poor nutrition, a physical ailment, such as a head cold or the flu or lack of sleep. Dizziness can also occur from something as simple as standing up too quickly after an extended period of rest. Dizziness can have accompanying symptoms:

• Lightheadedness or heavy-headedness
• Feeling woozy or faint
• Loss of balance
• Momentarily impaired vision (i.e. tunnel vision)

Vertigo: Causes and Symptoms

Vertigo is commonly caused by an inner ear imbalance. The inner ear is also known as the "vestibular system." This system assists to maintain your center of gravity and balance by sending necessary messages to your brain about your movement. When you have a vestibular disorder, this messaging to your brain becomes impaired and your movement becomes affected. Sometimes, you feel like the world is spinning, vision becomes hard to focus for long periods of time and it's difficult to stand or move without feeling like you'll fall over.

There are different causes of vertigo, which include:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when the tiny calcium crystals located in your ears break apart and move around to different parts of the ear, where they are not supposed to be. This can cause sudden spinning sensations (vertigo) and inner-ear discomfort.
• Meniere’s disease. This occurs when fluid builds up in your ear(s). This typically includes “ringing” in your ear and sudden waves of intense dizziness that may last for hours. You may also experience momentary hearing losses.
• Vestibular neuritis. This is an inner-ear infection that can cause vertigo.
• Migraines. Migraines can impact your vestibular system, thus causing episodes of vertigo which may be coupled with sensitivity to light or sound. Vision may also be impaired.
• Stroke. A stroke affects movement in your whole body. If you recently suffered a stroke, you may experience waves of vertigo which may linger for extended periods of time.

Some accompanying symptoms to vertigo may also include:

• Inability to focus 
• Inability to remain alert
• Vomiting or nausea 
• Double vision
• Leg or arm weakness 
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty seeing 
• Abnormal eye movements
• Sweating

Get back on your feet with physical therapy:

Vertigo and dizziness can both hinder your daily life and activities. They can make performing simple tasks, difficult. Luckily, FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers can help by treating dizziness and vertigo. FYZICAL is successful at both the treatment and diagnosis of vestibular disorders, dizziness and fall prevention. 

Vestibular rehabilitation includes treatments of various positional maneuvers. Your Physical therapist selects treatments based on your particular canal involvement. The positional maneuvers allow for canalith repositioning, in order to move the broken calcium crystals in patients experiencing BPPV.

Only select physical therapists with advanced vestibular training can offer these services. We have follow specific paradigms and have advanced diagnostic tools that allows us to be successful in treatment for dizziness and veritgo. We are the experts and can help you get back to your daily living activities.