Dizziness
Services
Dizziness can be caused by a variety of factors which can make it challenging to treat. We specialize in multiple conditions causing dizziness.
Conditions Treated
​For our bodies to feel balanced, the information your brain receives from your eyes, your nerves, and your vestibular system in your inner ear all have to match. When they don't, or if your brain can't process them, you will feel dizzy. Physical therapy can help with:
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Vertigo
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BPPV - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
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Peripheral hypofunction
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Concussion
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Vestibular migraine
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Dysautonomia
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Vasovagal disorders
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POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Vertigo and BPPV
Treating this condition involves a series of movement maneuvers to help relocate the crystals in the inner ear to restore balance.
Individuals with this condition classically report feeling that the room is spinning, and symptoms are aggravated with rolling over in bed.
Many patients diagnosed with BPPV or Vertigo however, also have other underlying components to their dizziness. If you've been treated for BPPV in the past and not had success, you may benefit from our more thorough evaluation process for other causes of dizziness.
Concussion
After a concussion, your brain has trouble processing information quickly, which can cause coordination/balance problems, dizziness, and nausea.
​ Your physical therapist will work with you to prescribe activities that challenge to your brain to help it heal without overwhelming it. This will include prescribed recovery times to rest and allow your brain to recover.
This can help you get back to life faster after a head injury.
What to Expect
Your physical therapist will first ask about your symptoms and take a detailed history. Afterwards, they will take you through testing for your eyes, nerves, vestibular system, and blood flow to your brain. It is necessary to evaluate all of these elements to ensure the therapist is treating the whole of the problem. In order to fix the problem, your therapist must first determine all of the systems involved so they can treat you effectively.
We recognize that this testing is uncomfortable for patients and no one likes feeling dizzy. After the evaluation is complete, we will begin the process of treating your dizziness in the office and you may be assigned exercises to do at home.
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Peripheral Hypofunction
Treating this condition involves training your eyes and nerves (called proprioceptors) to better orient your brain to your position in space. Individuals with this condition often report their symptoms are aggravated by being in busy spaces like grocery stores or driving (especially at night).
Your therapist will guide you through exercises for your eyes, and dynamic balance training to help your dizziness improve.
POTS
One of the primary symptom complaints in POTS is dizziness. Treating this condition is complex and involves a variety of exercises and education on lifestyle modifications.
This kind of dizziness can feel like light-headedness, tunnel vision, blackouts and fainting. POTS symptoms however, are complex and can present differently in each patient. ​
Click for more on POTS specific treatment.
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