You may not need to be stressed, depressed, and frustrated.

Have you woken up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or jumped out of bed in the morning to find that your world is spinning out of control, you can’t walk a straight line, you are nauseous, and maybe even vomiting?  Did you rush to the emergency room or your primary care doctor afraid you were having a major medical event?  You likely found yourself answering dozens of questions about your symptoms and running through a gauntlet of tests; fearful and anxious about what they were going to say.  If so, you are not alone.  As many as 35% of individuals over the age of 40, approximately 69 million Americans, have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction.  Vertigo can account for up to 1/3^rd of all individuals reporting dizziness to their healthcare provider. And I am a Physical Therapist who treats patients with vertigo. 

Physical Therapy can help treat Vertigo.

A person’s quality of life is significantly impacted by vertigo.  Often times you can no longer just pop out of bed and run to the bathroom without being dizzy and losing your balance.  Trips to the grocery store can cause stress and anxiety.  Doing simple tasks such as bending down to feed your cat can send you into a dizzy spell.   I have treated many patients who have stopped leaving their homes because they are embarrassed by their dizziness.  They feel that people are judging them; thinking that they might be intoxicated.  It is not uncommon for vertigo to leave you with feelings of fear, frustrations, and depression. 

Vertigo is a very general term used by many people and typically includes the symptom of dizziness or a sensation of the room spinning.  Vertigo can also include double vision, the inability to focus on objects, loss of balance, inability to walk a straight line, nausea, vomiting, a rocking sensation, and or a floating sensation. 

If you find yourself asking, “What can a physical therapist do for vertigo?” Don’t worry, I am here to provide you with some answers.  I take a thorough history and perform a methodical examination on your balance and vestibular system.  The results will indicate which type of vestibular disorder you might be suffering from.  There are many different causes of vertigo that I can identify and treat. If it is a condition that cannot be treated with physical therapy, I would refer you to the right professional who can help.  On average, a person with vertigo will see 5 healthcare professionals before they are successfully treated.  Many patients I treat for vertigo find themselves symptom-free within 12 visits and some with just 1-2 treatments.  Treatment sessions can include a series of maneuvers on the treatment table, balance training, training the eyes, and even work on the muscles and joints of the neck.    

If you know of someone complaining of dizziness please tell them you know someone who can help restore their quality of life and relieve their symptoms.  I will do everything I can to get you the answers you deserve.   

By Mike Moras, DPT

Back in Motion Physical Therapy – Portland, Maine

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