Vertigo

What is Vertigo?

BPPV is an abbreviation that stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and is a specific type of dizziness that is indeed a diagnosis. BPPV is the most common disorder of the vestibular system, the inner ear system that has a role in balance.

What else could be causing my dizziness?

BPPV is not the only disorder of the vestibular system that could be causing dizziness and imbalance. Other possible diagnoses include vestibular hypofunction, vestibular migraines, or concussion to name a few. Good news – research shows that a physical therapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation is able to help decrease dizziness caused by any of these disorders!

What are signs and symptoms of Vertigo?

BPPV is described as a sudden onset of room spinning dizziness when the head is moved in a certain direction. If you are experiencing BPPV you will likely not have dizziness symptoms when you are still, but will experience dizziness lasting seconds to minutes with head or neck movement. People experiencing BPPV often say, “I woke up feeling fine, but when I went to get out of bed the room started to spin.”

Dizziness and Vertigo Treatment

BPPV can be treated by a physical therapist and be resolved in as quickly as one to two treatments! A physical therapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation will perform maneuvers involving head and neck movement to resolve the BPPV. Unfortunately, not all doctors are aware that these maneuvers exist or that physical therapists are trained to perform them.