Understanding Dizziness and Vertigo:
Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment at PhysioActive

Dizziness and vertigo can be unsettling and even debilitating, affecting your ability to carry out daily activities with confidence and ease. Whether you experience occasional dizziness or persistent vertigo, understanding the symptoms, potential causes, and available treatments can make a significant difference in your quality of life.

What Are Dizziness and Vertigo?

Dizziness and vertigo are often used interchangeably, but they describe different sensations:

Dizziness typically refers to a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a sensation of fainting. It can make you feel as though you might lose your balance or fall, and it may be accompanied by nausea or a general sense of disorientation.
Vertigo is a more specific type of dizziness that involves a spinning or whirling sensation, either of your surroundings or within your head. It’s as if the world around you is moving, even when you’re standing still, and this can be profoundly unsettling.

Possible Causes of Dizziness and Vertigo

There are many potential causes of dizziness and vertigo, ranging from benign to more serious conditions. Some of the most common include:

Inner Ear Disorders: Conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or vestibular neuritis can cause vertigo by disrupting the inner ear’s balance mechanisms. These conditions affect the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.
Craniovertebral Issues: The upper neck, where the skull meets the spine, plays a crucial role in balance and proprioception. Dysfunction in this area, such as misalignment or tension, can disrupt the signals sent to the brain about your body’s position, leading to dizziness or vertigo.
Circulatory Problems: Reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to conditions like low blood pressure, dehydration, or cardiovascular issues, can cause dizziness. When the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen, you may feel lightheaded or faint.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Dysfunction: The ANS controls involuntary functions like heart rate and blood pressure. If it’s not working properly, it can lead to symptoms like dizziness, particularly when changing positions (orthostatic hypotension).
Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress or anxiety can trigger dizziness or vertigo. This may be due to hyperventilation, increased muscle tension, or changes in blood flow, all of which can affect your sense of balance.
Neck and Upper Thorax Tension: Poor posture, especially when sitting for long periods, can lead to tension in the neck and upper thorax, which can influence the cranial nerves and blood vessels connected to the balance centers in the brain, resulting in dizziness or vertigo.
Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as those for high blood pressure or anxiety, can have side effects that include dizziness or vertigo.

How the PhysioActive Team Can Help

At PhysioActive, we understand that dizziness and vertigo are often the result of complex, interconnected issues within the body. Our team of experienced therapists takes a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that we address the root causes of your symptoms, not just the symptoms themselves.

Detailed Assessment: We start with a thorough assessment to understand the specific nature of your dizziness or vertigo. This includes evaluating your posture, spinal alignment, neck function, and the health of your vestibular system.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): For those with inner ear disorders or vestibular dysfunction, we offer specialized exercises designed to retrain your balance system. VRT can significantly reduce or eliminate vertigo symptoms by improving your brain’s ability to process balance signals.
Manual Therapy: Our therapists use gentle manual techniques to release tension in the neck, upper thorax, and cranial base, improving blood flow and nerve function. This can alleviate dizziness caused by tension or misalignment in these areas.
Posture and Breathing Retraining: Poor posture and improper breathing patterns can contribute to dizziness and vertigo. We work with you to correct these issues, reducing strain on your neck and improving overall balance.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Regulation: If your dizziness is related to ANS dysfunction, we offer therapies to help balance this system, including techniques to improve circulation and stabilize blood pressure.
Comprehensive Care Plan: Based on our assessment, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan that addresses all contributing factors to your dizziness or vertigo. This may include a combination of vestibular rehabilitation, manual therapy, exercises, and lifestyle recommendations.

Why Choose PhysioActive?

At PhysioActive, we’re committed to helping you regain your balance and confidence. Our holistic approach to treating dizziness and vertigo ensures that you receive the most effective and comprehensive care possible. We understand how disruptive these symptoms can be, and we’re here to support you every step of the way, from diagnosis to recovery.

If you’re struggling with dizziness or vertigo, don’t wait to seek help. Contact us today to schedule an assessment and take the first step towards a life free from the unsettling effects of dizziness and vertigo. Our team is dedicated to helping you feel steady, secure, and well again.

Accurate Diagnosis: The Key to Effective BPPV Treatment

When you’re experiencing the unsettling spinning sensations of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), finding quick and effective relief is essential. The key to that relief lies in a precise and accurate diagnosis. BPPV, while common, requires a specific approach to treatment that hinges on understanding exactly how and where the problem is occurring in your inner ear.

Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters

BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) within your inner ear become dislodged and move into one of the semicircular canals. These canals are responsible for detecting rotational movements, and when these crystals interfere, they send false signals to your brain, causing the spinning sensation of vertigo.

An accurate diagnosis identifies not only that BPPV is the cause of your symptoms but also pinpoints which semicircular canal is affected and how the crystals are moving. This information is crucial because BPPV can affect any of the three canals in either ear, and the treatment maneuvers used to correct the problem vary depending on the location.

Effective Treatment: Once a precise diagnosis is made, a targeted treatment maneuver, such as the Epley or Semont maneuver, can be performed. These maneuvers are designed to reposition the dislodged crystals back to their proper place in the inner ear, relieving the vertigo almost immediately. Without an accurate diagnosis, the wrong maneuver could be applied, potentially worsening symptoms rather than resolving them.

The Role of VNG Glasses in Diagnosis

Video Nystagmography (VNG) glasses are a cutting-edge tool that enhances the accuracy of BPPV diagnosis. When you have BPPV, certain eye movements called nystagmus occur as your brain tries to make sense of the conflicting signals it’s receiving from your inner ear. These involuntary eye movements are a key indicator of the specific type of BPPV you have.

How VNG Glasses Work: VNG glasses are equipped with high-resolution cameras that record your eye movements as you undergo specific positional tests. These tests are designed to trigger the vertigo and nystagmus associated with BPPV. The glasses allow your therapist to closely observe the direction and pattern of your eye movements, which provides critical information about which semicircular canal is affected and how the crystals are behaving.
Precision in Diagnosis: The detailed data gathered from VNG glasses ensures that your therapist can make a precise diagnosis. This precision allows for the immediate application of the correct treatment maneuver, often providing instant relief from vertigo. By accurately identifying the problem, VNG glasses help avoid the trial-and-error approach that can occur with less sophisticated diagnostic methods.

The Benefits of a Good Diagnosis

A good diagnosis doesn’t just confirm that you have BPPV; it leads directly to an effective treatment that can correct the problem on the spot. This means you can walk out of the clinic feeling more stable, confident, and free from the debilitating effects of vertigo.

Immediate Relief: With an accurate diagnosis, the right maneuver can be performed immediately, often resolving the vertigo in just one session. This quick response reduces the distress and disruption that BPPV can cause in your daily life.
Confidence in Care: Knowing that your diagnosis is based on precise and detailed information gives you confidence in the care you’re receiving. It also helps you understand the nature of your condition and the steps being taken to correct it.

At PhysioActive, we believe that the foundation of effective treatment is a thorough and accurate diagnosis. Our use of advanced tools like VNG glasses ensures that we can pinpoint the exact cause of your BPPV and apply the most effective treatment immediately.

If you’re experiencing vertigo or dizziness, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to provide you with the expert diagnosis and care you need to find relief and regain your balance. Contact us today to schedule your assessment and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

FAQs for Those Suffering from BPPV

What is BPPV and what causes it?

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo, characterized by brief episodes of spinning or dizziness. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals, which are responsible for detecting rotational movements. These displaced crystals send incorrect signals to your brain, causing the sensation of spinning.
How is BPPV diagnosed?

BPPV is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and specialized tests. One of the most effective tools we use is Video Nystagmography (VNG) glasses, which allow us to observe your eye movements during positional tests. These eye movements help us identify the specific canal affected and guide us to the correct treatment.
Can BPPV be treated effectively?

Yes, BPPV can often be treated effectively with specific maneuvers designed to reposition the dislodged crystals in your inner ear. These maneuvers, such as the Epley or Semont maneuver, are highly effective when applied correctly and can provide immediate relief from vertigo.
How long does it take to feel better after treatment?

Many people experience significant relief from vertigo immediately after the correct maneuver is performed. However, some individuals may need a few sessions to fully resolve their symptoms, especially if the crystals do not reposition completely on the first attempt.
Can BPPV recur after treatment?

While treatment is often highly effective, BPPV can recur, particularly in individuals who are prone to it. If you experience a recurrence, the same diagnostic and treatment methods can be applied to provide relief. Regular follow-ups and specific exercises may help reduce the frequency of recurrences.
What should I do if I suspect I have BPPV?

If you’re experiencing symptoms of BPPV, such as sudden episodes of vertigo triggered by head movements, it’s important to seek a professional diagnosis. The sooner you receive an accurate diagnosis, the sooner effective treatment can be applied, allowing you to regain your balance and confidence.

Understanding Dizziness and Vertigo: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment at PhysioActive