TheraCORE Physical Therapy

Do you get dizzy when you go from sit to stand?

Or when you are walking in a grocery store turning your head to look up and down the aisles?

Have you ever heard friends, family or doctors mention the acronym BPPV?

 

Well, what is it?

 

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo, and is described as the sudden sensation that you’re spinning or that the inside of your head is spinning. The spinning sensation only lasts only a few minutes. Most often a person complains of these symptoms with a change in position of the head; Such as sitting up in bed, turning the head, or even when walking.

The signs and symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may include:

• Dizziness
• A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving (vertigo)
• Lightheadedness
• Unsteadiness
• A loss of balance
• Blurred vision associated with the sensation of vertigo
• Nausea
• Vomiting
   
   
  But why am I talking about dizziness on a physical therapy website? Because physical therapy can help treat your symptoms and put your vertigo to rest!
  Vestibular rehabilitation focuses on maneuvers that are intended to move debris or “ear rocks” out of the sensitive part of the ear to a less sensitive location. Physical therapy will also focus on strengthening your overall balance, teaching your brain to use the input from your eyes, the feedback from the surface you are on, and your vestibular (inner ear) system in order to maintain a stable environment.
   
  So the next time you hear of your neighbor, or your husband, or your teacher, talking about their “dizzy spells,” doesn’t forget to tell them how you have heard that physical therapy is a healthy alternative to resolve this problem!

-Jen Bazan, PT, DPT