Physiotherapy for Dizziness

Dizziness is the 2^nd most common symptom reported to family physicians and a condition that eventually affects almost every person. It is a general term that often describes light-headedness, vertigo, imbalance, rocking and swaying. Physiotherapy can be an excellent way to improve balance, regain stability and desensitize the sensations of dizziness.

CAUSES

Dizziness can result from an impairment to a variety of different areas of the body and sometimes from a combination of those different systems. Here are some of the most common:

• Vestibular organ or nerve dysfunction (vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis, Meniere’s, inner ear infection)
• BPPV (benign paroxysmal position vertigo)
• Concussion or head injury
• Stroke or tumor
• Neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis
• Hypotension and dehydration
• Medications
• Heart dysfunction (attack, arrhythmia, heart valve)
• Degenerative changes associated with ageing

HOW PHYSIOTHERAPY CAN HELP

Assessment
Dizziness can be difficult to diagnose, with experts often disagreeing. Vestibular physiotherapists interact with dizziness patients regularly and can provide valuable input into the assessment findings. Particularly as these therapists tend to incorporate testing from a rehabilitative perspective. This allows the assessment findings to be easily incorporated into relevant treatment techniques.

Treatment

a) Habituation

Strategies to gradually allow your head and body to desensitize to specific movements or positions that cause an increase in symptoms.

b) Compensation

The use of other systems in your body to provide your head with the balance and movement information it needs to maintain stability. Areas such as your brain, your eyes, the motion sensing joints in your legs and spine.

c) Functional Exercise

Exercise prescription to improve strength and conditioning, to stabilize your gait, and to normalize movement patterns.

d) Education

Physiotherapists will educate you on your condition, and provide strategies to get optimize your daily routines, and minimize symptoms throughout your recovery.

e) Maintenance

In cases where dizziness impairments will be present on an on-going basis, physiotherapists can provide the support necessary to provide care periodically and can intervene when symptoms are flared up.

Dizziness management, and particularly vestibular rehabilitation is a more recent area of therapy but is rapidly growing and is now recognized as one of the primary tools for treating dizziness. Therapia has physiotherapists experienced in treating dizziness. Click here to get started or call 1 888-825-7045.