Washington, D.C. Physical Therapy Treatment for Vertigo

Vertigo is defined as a sensation of motion where either you or the environment around you feels like it is moving, spinning, or swaying when there is no actual movement. This sensation is often described as dizziness. Dizziness is a primary complaint that accounts for 5.6 million visits in the United States per year.1  The onset of this sensation can often be disorienting and it makes it difficult to maintain one’s balance and can interfere with the performance of everyday tasks. Sometimes, the sensation may cause nausea or vomiting. Vertigo attacks can occur suddenly and last for a few seconds or much longer depending on the cause. Vertigo affects all ages and its cause varies from either a peripheral issue involving the part of the inner ear that controls balance, a central issue involving part of the brainstem, or the cerebellum, a part of the brain that controls balance.

At Release Physical Therapy, our experienced clinicians can evaluate and provide treatment for peripheral vertigo and create an individualized plan of care to restore your sense of balance and prevent falls or injury.

What is the best physical therapy for vertigo?

The most effective physical therapy for vertigo is known as vestibular rehabilitation. This is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on the vestibular system and provides treatment to alleviate both the primary and secondary sources of vestibular dysfunction.

At Release Physical Therapy we have a team of skilled clinicians who can identify those primary and secondary disorders, create a treatment plan to address them as well as take the time during the hour allotted for each visit to address any other factors that may be contributing to your dysfunction.

How long does physical therapy take for vertigo?

Duration of treatment for physical therapy can vary and can be dependent on your condition, the cause of your symptoms, and the extent of your secondary symptoms.  Some patients experience improvement in the standard 6-8 weeks and others require longer. The most important thing is identifying the underlying cause of your vertigo, addressing it, and then providing treatment for the secondary symptoms that can arise including decreased balance and stability, decreased mobility, and decreased strength.

Is physical therapy good for vertigo?

Yes physical therapy, most specifically vestibular physical therapy is very good in the treatment of vertigo and can be very effective in providing relief from vertigo symptoms. Physical therapy can also play a key role in retraining the brain to properly recognize and interpret signals from your senses, helping to restore balance and stability and help the vestibular system work more effectively.

Does physical therapy work for vertigo?

Yes, specifically vestibular rehabilitation in which the therapist can aid in identifying the cause of the vertigo through diagnostic questioning, examination including special tests to observe your symptoms, as well as creating a personalized treatment plan to improve your symptoms and provide you with long-term management and relief.

How do physical therapists test for vertigo?

Examinations for vertigo include special positional tests done in a controlled environment known as supine roll and Dix-Hallpike test. During these tests, your therapist pays close attention to the involuntary eye movements that occur also known as nystagmus which typically can give insight into what is affected and causing the vertigo symptoms.

What do physical therapists do for vertigo?

At Release Physical Therapy, our team of Physical therapists can evaluate you for vertigo, provide one-on-one treatment for the primary and secondary symptoms that arise, as well as help and guide you through exercises and treatment in retraining your body to cope with specific triggers for your vertigo.

What is the best exercise for vertigo?

For patients whose vertigo is triggered by positional changes and are diagnosed with a form of vertigo called BPPV, an Epley maneuver is the best first treatment and exercise to perform. This treatment involves placing your head in specific positions that help to reset the stones within the inner ear that often become dislodged and help restore the balance organ and your sense of balance.

This is an exercise and a treatment that any one of our qualified and trained therapists here at Release Physical Therapy can perform on you and teach you how to do yourself to decrease vertigo attacks and improve your function. Other exercises include the Semont maneuver, Foster maneuver, Brandt-Daroff exercises, and many others. A physical therapist that is well-versed in your case, can help determine the best course of treatment and exercise based on your needs.

Should you rest or exercise with vertigo?

When it comes to vertigo, staying active is generally advised, however, it is important that exercises are done in a careful manner and under supervision and guidance.

At Release Physical Therapy we offer one-on-one treatments with each of our clients to ensure that they are getting the complete treatment that they need. During these sessions, you and your therapist can also identify the provoking activities and ensure that it is taken into consideration while developing your POC.

What triggers vertigo attacks?

Common triggers and provocative activities for vertigo include bed mobility which involves rolling or transferring from laying down to sitting, reaching for objects on the floor, bottom cupboard, or top shelf, doing grooming activities like dressing, washing hair, applying eye drops, being in a dental chair, diagnostic procedures like a CT scan or MRI, and other activities that involve your head being in a dependent position.

Here at Release, we understand that vertigo can be very destabilizing and disorienting, and can interfere with doing the things you love. This is why our main priority is to put you first and provide you with the skilled care that you need while utilizing the best treatment to manage your vertigo symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing vertigo attacks and symptoms, we are here to help. We understand how debilitating it can be and we would be more than happy to provide you with the relief you need so you can get back to doing the things you love. You can schedule an appointment at either our downtown Washington, DC office, our West End/Foggy Bottom location, or Tysons Corner office.

To book an appointment, simply give us a call or request an appointment online. We’re eager to help you on your journey to recovery!