How Vertigo can be treated with Physiotherapy?

If you’ve ever experienced vertigo—that sudden, terrifying sensation that the room is spinning—you know how debilitating it can be.

Many people rush to see a doctor or specialist,

but often the most effective solution comes from an unexpected source:

a physiotherapist specializing in Vestibular Rehabilitation.

What is Vertigo, and Where Does it Come From?

Your inner ear contains three tiny,

fluid-filled canals (the vestibular system) that tell your brain where your head is in space.

When this system is disrupted, it creates that intense spinning sensation.

While many causes exist,

the most common type of vertigo treated by physiotherapists is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Understanding BPPV:

BPPV happens when tiny calcium carbonate crystals, called otoconia,

break loose from their normal spot in the inner ear.

Think of these crystals as tiny stones sitting where they shouldn’t be.

When you move your head (like rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending down),

these floating crystals roll into one of the fluid-filled canals.

This movement incorrectly stimulates the nerve endings,

sending a confused signal to your brain that you are spinning, even though you are not.

This triggers the sudden, intense dizziness characteristic of BPPV.

The Physiotherapist’s Role: Vestibular Rehabilitation

A specialized physiotherapist doesn’t use standard massage or exercise for vertigo;

they use specific, evidence-based maneuvers to physically fix the problem.

This is where Vestibular Rehabilitation comes in.

The main goals of this treatment are:

1. Diagnosis: The therapist performs simple positional tests to confirm that you have BPPV and determine exactly which inner ear canal the loose crystals are trapped in.
2. Repositioning: Once the affected canal is identified, the therapist performs precise, slow head and body movements, such as the Epley Maneuver. The goal of this maneuver is to use gravity to physically guide the loose crystals out of the sensitive fluid-filled canal and back into a safe area of the inner ear where they won’t cause dizziness.

This treatment is highly effective and can often resolve BPPV in just one or two sessions.

When to Consult a Physiotherapist

If you experience dizziness that is triggered by specific head movements (like looking up or rolling over),

a specialized physiotherapist is an appropriate first line of treatment.

Vertigo is not something you have to live with—it is often mechanically fixable!