Are you dizzy? Do you have poor balance? Did you know physical therapy can help you?

Are you dizzy? Do you have poor balance? Did you know physical therapy can help you?

If you’re regularly experiencing dizziness, imbalance, spatial disorientation or vision disturbances, you may have a vestibular disorder. More than 35% of adults in the United States aged 40 years and older (roughly 69 million people) experience vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives.

The vestibular system lies in your inner ear and is responsible for your body’s sense of movement in space. Problems in this system can cause dizziness and imbalance. One of the more common symptoms is vertigo, which is the feeling that you or your environment is spinning (though it is important to note that not all dizziness is vertigo).

There are a number of possible reasons, both related and unrelated to the vestibular system, individuals may experience dizziness and imbalance. Some of the more common causes include:

• Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Vestibular Hypofunction
• Concussion Related Dizziness
• Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Medications
• Non-Vestibular Related Balance Issues
  • Weakness
  • Musculoskeletal injury, especially in the neck
  • Neurological disorders

It is important to address your dizziness and imbalance in order to avoid falls, and physical therapy can often be the answer!

We have a number of physical therapists at PTSMC trained in evaluating dizziness and balance disorders. Our experienced clinicians can perform thorough exams to help determine the most appropriate treatment for your case. Treatment may include maneuvers to eliminate vertigo, vestibular rehabilitation therapy and/or exercises to improve your stability, posture and walking ability. Our main goal is to help decrease your dizziness, increase your safety with daily activities and improve the quality of your life!

References:

APTA’s Move Forward PT www.moveforwardpt.com

The Vestibular Disorders Association www.vestibular.org