Vertigo is one of the more complicated medical conditions because it can be a symptom of a wide range of conditions. It can cause a little bit of a problem or wreak havoc on one’s daily life.
But by understanding vertigo and its causes, a person can ease its symptoms with a variety of physical therapy moves and possibly medication and get back on track to living life the way they want without vertigo getting in the way.
How Does Vertigo Happen?
Vertigo is when a person feels as though the room is constantly spinning around them. People sometimes refer to this as what happens when someone looks down from a great height however, that is not the same thing.
The most important thing that people don’t understand is that vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition, not a condition on its own. If one can control the underlying condition, they can most likely control the vertigo that comes with it.
Vertigo can be a symptom of many things but it’s normally connected to conditions that affect the brain, ears, sinuses or central nervous system. One of the more common conditions is Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV.
With this condition, particles of crystals of calcium become dislodged and fall into the canals of the ear. They then touch sensory hairs there and cause the brain to think a person is in a position they are not, causing spinning.
What Does Vertigo Feel Like?
The symptoms of vertigo can vary depending on the person. Most commonly, the main symptom of vertigo is mild to severe dizziness. It can feel like their head is spinning or the room or area around them is spinning.
Among the spinning, vertigo can come with other symptoms as well such as:
- Balance problems
- Nausea or motion sickness
- Ringing in the ear, also known as tinnitus
- Headaches
- Lightheadedness
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy can be very helpful in lessening the effect of vertigo on a person if done at regular intervals. Usually, only a 10 to 15-minute session is needed each time so it’s not time-consuming and gives a short, relaxing break to each patient.
The two most common physical therapy maneuvers are the Epley and Semont Maneuvers and are best for those with BPPV. In both situations, you go from a seated position to other positions back to a seated position to help the calcium deposit move to a place where it will no longer cause symptoms.
Two other common maneuvers to help with vertigo are the Foster Maneuver and the Brandt Maneuver. These maneuvers involve going through movements in an upright position and sometimes work better than the Epley and Semont maneuvers for some people.
Each person is different and they should find the movement that works best for them with the help of their physician or physical therapist.
Understanding Vertigo Long-Term
Because everyone is different, the effect of vertigo on them will be different. In most cases, vertigo only lasts a few seconds or a few minutes. In more severe cases, it can last a few days. But it’s rarely a sign of a serious health condition.
With the correct treatment, such as regular physical therapy visits, your vertigo can become almost nonexistent. Therefore, it both treats and prevents vertigo. For those with sinus issues that connect to the inner ear, they would want to pair medication, like allergy pills, with regular physical therapy for the best results.
Get The Help You Need
Here at South Orange Rehabilitation and Wellness, we understand what it takes to treat a variety of medical issues, including vertigo. Our mission is to help you get better in the way you want and get back to living your day to day life with little to no problems.
Schedule an appointment with us today and see how physical therapy can help your vertigo.
