Dizziness is one of the most unsettling symptoms there is, partly because it is hard to describe and partly because people are often told there is nothing to be done. Frequently there is a great deal to be done.
Vestibular rehabilitation treats dizziness, vertigo and unsteadiness that comes from the balance organs of the inner ear and the way the brain interprets their signals. It is a specific field with specific treatments, and it is not the same as general physiotherapy applied to a dizzy patient.
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What causes this kind of dizziness
Common causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, where tiny crystals in the inner ear move out of place and produce short violent spinning when you turn over in bed or look up, vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis after a viral illness, and the persistent unsteadiness that can follow either. Migraine, neck problems and some medications also contribute.
What treatment involves
Assessment first, because the treatment depends entirely on the cause. BPPV often responds to specific repositioning manoeuvres, sometimes within one or two appointments, which is one of the more satisfying things in physiotherapy. Where the problem is a loss of vestibular function, treatment is a graded programme of eye, head and balance exercises that retrains the brain to compensate. That takes weeks rather than minutes, and it works.
When dizziness needs urgent attention
Sudden dizziness with slurred speech, facial or limb weakness, double vision, a severe headache or difficulty walking needs emergency assessment rather than an appointment with us. Ring 999. Dizziness with new deafness in one ear should be seen by a doctor promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Can vertigo be cured in one appointment?
When should dizziness be treated as an emergency?
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