What Causes Vertigo and How Physiotherapy Can Offer Relief

Vertigo is more than just dizziness—it's a sensation of false movement, often described as the feeling that the world is spinning or tilting around you. This condition can be disorienting, frustrating, and even debilitating, affecting your balance and daily activities. If you’ve experienced vertigo, you may be wondering: What causes it, and how can physiotherapy help?

In this post, we will explore the causes of vertigo, how it affects your body, and the ways physiotherapy can provide relief.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that creates a false sense of motion. Unlike lightheadedness, vertigo makes you feel as though you or the room around you is spinning, which can lead to nausea, imbalance, and difficulty with everyday tasks. While vertigo can be triggered by various factors, understanding its root cause is essential in finding an effective treatment.

Common Causes of Vertigo

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
   One of the most common causes of vertigo is a condition called BPPV, which originates in the inner ear. The vestibular system, responsible for your balance, relies on fluid-filled canals in the ear. In BPPV, small crystals from other areas of the ear can become dislodged and enter the canals, triggering vertigo, especially when you change head positions—such as looking up or rolling over in bed.

2. Vestibular Neuritis
   Vestibular neuritis is an inner ear condition caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for sending balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. It often follows a viral infection and can cause severe, sudden vertigo, nausea, and imbalance.

3. Meniere's Disease
   Meniere’s disease is a more chronic condition where fluid accumulates in the inner ear, leading to vertigo episodes, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). It’s a rare condition, but its symptoms can be overwhelming and disruptive to daily life.

4. Neck Issues
   Sometimes, vertigo can arise due to neck problems. For instance, dysfunction in the joints of the upper cervical spine (neck) can affect the nerves connected to the brain stem and the vestibular system, leading to dizziness or a sensation of spinning.

How Physiotherapy Can Help Relieve Vertigo

Fortunately, physiotherapy offers effective treatments for vertigo. Depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms, physiotherapists can apply targeted interventions to reduce dizziness, improve balance, and alleviate discomfort. Here are some ways physiotherapy can provide relief:

1. The Epley Manoeuvre for BPPV
   For those suffering from BPPV, one of the most effective treatments is the Epley Manoeuvre, a series of head movements designed to move the dislodged crystals out of the ear canals and back to their proper location. Physiotherapists are trained to guide you through these manoeuvres to help relieve vertigo symptoms.

2. Balance Training
   If vertigo has left you feeling unsteady or imbalanced, physiotherapists can help restore your balance through specific exercises. These exercises work to improve your body’s coordination, strengthening the muscles involved in balance and re-training your brain to respond correctly to movement signals.

3. Manual Therapy for Neck-Related Vertigo
   In cases where neck dysfunction is contributing to vertigo, physiotherapists use manual therapy techniques to improve joint mobility and relieve tension in the upper cervical spine. By restoring proper movement in the neck, physiotherapists can reduce the impact on the vestibular system, alleviating dizziness and discomfort.

4. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
   VRT is a specialised form of physiotherapy designed to improve the function of the vestibular system. Using a combination of eye, head, and body movements, VRT helps your brain learn to compensate for balance issues caused by vertigo. Over time, these exercises can help reduce symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

Why Early Intervention is Key

Vertigo, especially when left untreated, can have a significant impact on your daily activities and mental well-being. The sooner you seek treatment, the faster you can return to feeling normal. Physiotherapy provides a non-invasive, effective approach to manage vertigo symptoms and address the underlying causes.

At Southside Physiotherapy, we are here to support you in your journey to better balance and improved health. If you’re experiencing vertigo or dizziness, don’t wait—contact us today to schedule an appointment and explore how our physiotherapy treatments can help you feel better.