When To See A Physical Therapist For Vertigo

Written By Eve Anderson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Vertigo is a health condition where the patient feels like they are moving or the surrounding environment is spinning. The leading vertigo triggers are stroke, head injuries, tumors, migraines, and ear infections.

Often, vertigo patients experience nausea, abnormal ear movements, problems walking, sweating, and vomiting. Read on to know the best time you or your loved one with vertigo should see a qualified vertigo therapist.

Types of Vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional is the most common type of vertigo. It's a problem in the inner ear known to trigger short spinning sensations whenever the patient moves their head in certain directions.

The second most common type of vertigo is vestibular hypofunction, a condition that causes malfunctioning of the vestibular system. The risk factors behind vestibular hypofunction are migraines, vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, cervicogenic dizziness, and peripheral vestibular loss.

A physical therapist will create a customized exercise program featuring perfect substitution, adaption, and habituation exercises to treat vertigo.

Physical Therapist for Vertigo

Physical vertigo therapists assess the severity of the condition and design personalized treatment exercises and medical treatments to soothe the condition. Unlike doctors in other areas of medical specialties, not many vertigo physical therapists are available.

A quick but thorough research through different related websites will give vertigo patients a clear picture of how scarce these specialized doctors are.

It's advised that the patient be careful and detailed in their search. That way, they are sure to discover a physical therapist for vertigo qualified to handle their type of problem.

Start by getting references from general family doctors or friends who have suffered from dizziness. Most vertigo doctors run personal websites, so thorough internet research can direct the patient to the best doctors to consider.

When to Visit a Physical Psychoanalyst for Vertigo?

By itself, dizziness is not a disease or condition, rather the result of an underlying condition. If the condition gets severe and unmanageable, patients are advised to see a qualified physician.

The human brain can adapt to changes in the inner ear and employ alternative mechanisms to maintain balance, however it is still recommended to see a doctor. If you or your loved ones are experiencing the following signs, it may be time to consult qualified physical therapists.

• Impulsive and severe headaches combined with chest pains
• Arms or legs paralysis
• Double-vision and breathing difficulties
• Slurred speech
• Physical weakness, seizures, and numbness of the face

Treatments For Most Types of Vertigo

After seeing a qualified doctor for vertigo, they will assess the severity of the problem and recommend a solution that works for you. Regardless of how severe the condition is, the following are highly recommended instances when hiring a physical therapist is ideal.

• Vestibular rehabilitation: Most vertigo therapists recommend this treatment for all vertigo problems caused by vestibular hypofunction. The vestibular system works to signal your brain on all body movements related to gravity, and so if it does not function properly, vertigo gets worse. Vestibular rehabilitation works by training your other senses to compensate for the low orientation problem experienced during vertigo.
• Canalith repositioning maneuvers: This type of treatment involves a range of body and head movements aimed at moving ear canal calcium deposits to the inner chamber of the ear. The procedure often triggers symptoms of vertigo and can be difficult. Be sure to find a physical therapist that’s experienced in this type of procedure.
• Medical prescriptions: If the vertigo problem is manageable, the physical therapist may recommend medical prescriptions such as antibiotics. They might also rig diuretics for treating excess ear fluids caused by Meniere’s disease.
• Surgical procedures: Your vertigo physical therapist may also recommend surgery in case you are experiencing dizziness caused by head injury, tumors, or neck injury. It’s the last treatment option any therapist will recommend because of the high cost and complexity.

Most vertigo conditions are manageable with minimal to no professional aid, and the patient may not necessarily need to see and hire qualified therapists. However, if the condition worsens, it would be a good idea to see a professional medical expert as soon as possible.

Follow the guides outlined above to select the perfect vertigo therapist who is experienced and qualified to handle various vertigo symptoms.

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Written By:

Eve Anderson is a quirky, sharp, and meticulous copywriter with a bachelor's in communications from Washington State University. She loves exploring antique stores, roaming redwood forests, and critiquing the absurdities of modern civilization.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com. 

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