Does the room spin when you roll over in bed or change positions? Do you feel unsteady when walking, or worry about losing your balance and falling?
Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems can make everyday activities more difficult and affect your confidence in moving safely. Depending on the cause of your symptoms, physical therapy may help improve balance, reduce dizziness, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
At H2 Health, our physical therapists evaluate the factors that may be contributing to dizziness and imbalance and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your symptoms, needs, and goals.
What Helps You Maintain Your Balance?
Does the room spin when you roll over in bed or change positions? Do you feel unsteady when walking, or worry about losing your balance and falling?
Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems can make everyday activities more difficult and affect your confidence in moving safely. Depending on the cause of your symptoms, physical therapy may help improve balance, reduce dizziness, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
At H2 Health, our physical therapists evaluate the factors that may be contributing to dizziness and imbalance and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your symptoms, needs, and goals.
Your Vestibular System
Located in the inner ear, the vestibular system helps detect head movement and changes in position. When this system is not working properly, you may experience:
- Vertigo or a spinning sensation
- Dizziness
- Motion sensitivity
- Difficulty focusing while moving
- Unsteadiness or loss of balance
Conditions affecting the vestibular system can include BPPV, vestibular hypofunction, and age-related vestibular changes, among others.
Your Vision
Your eyes provide your brain with important information about your surroundings and your position within them. When visual information does not match what your vestibular system is sensing, you may feel dizzy or unsteady, particularly in busy environments, crowded stores, or low-light conditions.
Sensation Strength and Movement
Your muscles and joints also send information to your brain about your body’s position and movement. Changes in sensation, strength, mobility, or coordination can make it more difficult to maintain balance, navigate uneven surfaces, or react quickly when you lose your footing.
A physical therapist can assess how factors such as vestibular function, sensation, strength, mobility, and movement may be affecting your balance and safety.
How Physical Therapy Helps with Dizziness and Balance Problems
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for many vestibular and balance conditions. Your physical therapist will first evaluate your symptoms and determine which aspects of movement, balance, strength, and vestibular function may be contributing to the problem.
Your evaluation may include assessment of:
- Balance and fall risk
- Walking and functional mobility
- Strength and flexibility
- Head and eye movements
- Vestibular function
- Postural control
- Your ability to perform everyday activities safely
Treatment is then tailored to what your therapist finds.
What to Expect With Vestibular Rehabiliation
One of the most common causes of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV often causes brief episodes of spinning associated with changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed, looking up, bending over, or getting out of bed.
BPPV occurs when tiny calcium carbonate particles called otoconia become displaced within the inner ear. Certain head movements can then trigger abnormal signals that result in brief episodes of vertigo.
A physical therapist trained in vestibular care can perform positional tests to help determine whether BPPV is contributing to your symptoms. If appropriate, your therapist may use a repositioning maneuver to help move the displaced particles into an area of the inner ear where they no longer trigger vertigo.
BPPV often responds well to appropriate repositioning treatment, although some people may require more than one treatment session.
Improve Balance and Reduce Fall Risk
One of the most common causes of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV often causes brief episodes of spinning associated with changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed, looking up, bending over, or getting out of bed.
BPPV occurs when tiny calcium carbonate particles called otoconia become displaced within the inner ear. Certain head movements can then trigger abnormal signals that result in brief episodes of vertigo.
A physical therapist trained in vestibular care can perform positional tests to help determine whether BPPV is contributing to your symptoms. If appropriate, your therapist may use a repositioning maneuver to help move the displaced particles into an area of the inner ear where they no longer trigger vertigo.
BPPV often responds well to appropriate repositioning treatment, although some people may require more than one treatment session.
When Should You See A Physical Therapist for Vertigo or Balance Problems?
Consider talking with a healthcare provider or physical therapist if you are experiencing:
- Recurrent vertigo or spinning sensations
- Dizziness with certain head or body positions
- Unsteadiness while standing or walking
- Difficulty navigating stairs or uneven surfaces
- A recent fall or frequent near-falls
- Fear of falling
- Reduced confidence with everyday activities
- Balance problems that are limiting your mobility or independence
The appropriate treatment depends on what is causing your symptoms, which is why a thorough evaluation is important.
When Dizziness Needs Immediate Medical Attention
Dizziness can have many causes, and some require medical attention rather than physical therapy.
Seek immediate medical attention for sudden or severe dizziness, especially when it occurs with new weakness or numbness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, severe headache, fainting, chest pain, new vision changes, or a sudden inability to walk normally.
If you are unsure what is causing your dizziness, a healthcare professional can help determine the appropriate next step.
Find Relief from Vertigo and Balance Problems
You don’t have to let lower back pain control your life.
You don’t have to simply adjust to feeling dizzy or unsteady. For many vestibular and balance conditions, physical therapy can help reduce symptoms, improve stability, and make everyday movement feel safer and more confident.
If vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems are affecting your daily life, Find relief with the H2 Health network of therapists. Our team can evaluate your symptoms and help determine whether physical therapy is an appropriate next step.
Schedule an evaluation at an H2 Health clinic near you. Call us at (800) 699-9395 or request an appointment online to visit the best physical therapy clinic near you.
With over 300 locations across the country, we have a clinic close to home. Do not forget about our complimentary screenings to help you determine your therapy needs. Your better health starts here. We look forward to helping you!
Sources:
Medically reviewed by the licensed physical therapists at H2 Health. Our clinicians evaluate and treat appropriate vestibular and balance conditions using evidence-based physical therapy techniques.
- Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA). Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT).
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Vestibular Rehabilitation for Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction: Clinical Practice Guideline.
- University of Michigan Health. Michigan Balance: Vestibular Testing & Rehabilitation.
