Vertigo, Balance,
& Dizziness Therapy
Tired of Being Told, “It’s Just Dizziness”?
Dizziness is one of the most common complaints in primary care, yet it remains one of the most frequently misdiagnosed. If you are struggling with chronic unsteadiness, you are not alone: statistics show that individuals with chronic dizziness often see an average of four different healthcare providers before their condition is correctly identified.
At Functional Performance Center, we specialize in finding the root cause. We differentiate between:
Vertigo: A distinct sensation of spinning.
Dizziness: A more general feeling of lightheadedness or imbalance.
The cause of your symptoms can range from simple inner-ear issues to serious medical concerns. If you experience vertigo accompanied by difficulty speaking, double vision, a change in alertness, arm or leg weakness, or an inability to walk, call 911 immediately.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the intense, unsettling sensation of spinning—the feeling that you are moving, or the room is moving around you, even when you are perfectly still. Most cases of vertigo are rooted in the inner ear, or the vestibular system.
One of the most common forms is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), an inner-ear condition that triggers brief, sudden spinning sensations, often when moving the head or changing body position.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
Physical therapists can conduct an in-depth evaluation to determine the cause of your symptoms. Based on your physical therapist’s evaluation and your recovery goals, the therapist will customize a treatment program for you.
Physical therapy treatments for dizziness vary. The exercises that your therapist designs for you will depend on your unique problems and can include:
- Balance improvement exercises
- Exercises to improve the brain “correct” differences between your inner ear
- Exercises to increase your ability to coordinate your eyes with head and body movement
- Your physical therapist might also add exercises to improve your strength, flexibility, and heart health to improve your overall physical health and well-being.
What Kind of Physical Therapist Do I Need?
All physical therapists are qualified through experience and education to treat people with dizziness. However, at Functional Performance Physical Therapy Center our therapists have undergone extensive post-doctoral education to earn their certificates as Certified Vestibular Specialists.
General suggestions when you’re looking for a physical therapist to help with your “vertigo”:
- Get family and friends or other health care providers’ recommendations.
- When you reach out to a physical therapy clinic for an appointment, ask about the physical therapists’ experience helping people with inner ear vestibular problems or injury.
- During your initial visit with the physical therapist, be ready to describe your symptoms in as much detail as possible and explain what makes your symptoms worse.