If you’ve ever experienced vertigo, you know how disorienting it can be! When you feel as if either you or the room is spinning, it’s hard to stay on your feet. However, you do have options. Understanding the causes of vertigo is essential for finding the most effective treatment for your needs.
One way to manage vertigo is through physical therapy at American Headache Institute. Our PTs use specific exercises to help our patients reduce their symptoms and improve their balance and stability. These exercises target vertigo at its root, helping to retrain the brain and improve coordination.
So, what exactly does cause vertigo? Reasons vary, but in many cases, vertigo stems from a problem with the structures of your inner ear. These structures work with your cerebellum to form the vestibular system, which controls balance and stability in your body.
Today, we want to discuss some specific causes of vertigo and explore your treatment options, giving you the tools you need to make informed choices about your care. Keep reading to learn more about how physical therapy at American Headache Institute can benefit you!
Common Causes of Vertigo
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- This condition is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It occurs when small crystals form in the inner ear and interfere with your vestibular system, causing vertigo whenever you move your head in certain ways. Our physical therapists can perform certain head maneuvers to dislodge the crystals, reducing symptoms.
Meniere’s Disease
- This chronic inner ear disorder is characterized by an abnormal amount of fluid in the inner ear, which affects balance and hearing. People with the condition often experience sudden and severe episodes of vertigo, as well as other symptoms such as hearing loss, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. While Meniere’s disease doesn’t have a cure, physical therapy plays a crucial role in managing your symptoms.
Vestibular Neuritis
- Inner ear infections can cause vestibular neuritis, an inflammation of the vestibular nerve (which helps control balance). Symptoms include sudden, severe dizziness, nausea, and difficulty walking. Physical therapy can help reduce and manage those symptoms.
Vestibular Migraines
- This is a particular type of migraine that causes vertigo or dizziness along with typical migraine symptoms. We can help reduce the frequency and severity of these vertigo episodes.
Addressing the Causes of Vertigo with Physical Therapy
If you’re experiencing frequent bouts of vertigo, schedule an appointment at our Rochester Hills, MI clinic! Our physical therapists will assess your symptoms and health history to determine the cause of your vertigo. Then, we’ll create a personalized treatment program that addresses it at its source.
We’re knowledgeable in several specialized interventions that address vertigo, dizziness, and balance challenges. For example, if you’re struggling with BPPV, we’ll typically employ the Epley maneuver, which repositions in the ear crystals that cause the condition.
For other causes of vertigo, we might turn to vestibular rehabilitation, a specialized form of physical therapy that includes a few different treatments:
- Relaxation techniques to get you through bouts of vertigo
- Gaze stabilization exercises to help improve the brain’s ability to process balance signals
- Balance training exercises to help you improve your overall balance and stability
- Therapeutic exercise programs to build core strength and stability
Ultimately, we want to help you feel better and function more effectively in your daily life, which means finding the best treatments for your needs.
Once We Know the Cause, We Can Identify the Treatment
We know how scary it is to be in the middle of a vertigo attack. But understanding the causes of vertigo can demystify the experience and help you get the care you need.
You don’t have to live with persistent vertigo attacks. Schedule an appointment at American Headache Institute in Rochester Hills, MI today to see how we can help you!
Tags: migraines, vestibular therapy, dizziness, vertigo, balance
