Dizziness/Vertigo
Experiencing the sensation of spinning, being giddy or unsteady? These feelings are called vertigo. Vertigo is a symptom of a balance disorder often due to dysfunction of the balance mechanism (vestibular system) in the inner ear. One of the most common causes of vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BBPV). BPPV is common, particularly in older people, with one third of people over 70 having experienced BPPV at some stage. BPPV is caused by dislodgment of calcium crystals due to degenerative in the ear changes or trauma. The crystals migrate to the part of the inner ear that contains the sensory balance organs and vertigo results. Physiotherapists can effectively treat this disorder with application of techniques which reposition the crystals, thus resolving the vertigo.
Other conditions that cause vertigo include vestibular neuronitis/labyrinthitis, acoustic neuroma and vestibular migraine. If you are experiencing vertigo, it is important that you consult your GP first. Your GP may want to order some further tests or refer you to a specialist. If you are diagnosed with a vestibular problem, a physiotherapist usually can assist your dizziness symptoms, through instruction in a vestibular rehabilitation programme. This aims to retrain the balance system Vestibular rehabilitation will usually involve balance exercises in standing and walking, eye exercises to improve eye-head coordination and head and body movements that provoke dizziness to retrain the balance system.
Vertigo Treatment
We have physiotherapists trained in the Epley Manoeuvre, which can often be very useful in the treatment of benign positional vertigo. It is a simple technique designed to alter the position of the crystals within the ear canal to alleviate feelings of vertigo. As there are many causes of vertigo we recommend that you consult with your physician as to whether this is a treatment option you should be considering.