Physical Therapy for Vertigo: Will it Help?

It’s unnerving when the world seems to be spinning around you even though you are sitting very still. The sensation, called vertigo, cannot only make you feel disoriented, it can also make it hard to focus. Understanding what vertigo is and how physical therapy can help could give you relief if this sensation occurs on a consistent basis. 

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving even though your body is staying still. Imagine spinning in a circle for a few minutes and then stopping and feeling as though the room is still moving around you. In those who suffer from vertigo, that same spinning feeling is happening but instead of riding a roller coaster they are performing normal daily movements like laying down in bed or standing up from a chair. It can impact people of any age but is more likely to occur as a person ages.

Many people who experience vertigo also notice balance problems, resulting in stumbling or a drifting one direction as they walk. Some people may also feel lightheaded. Vertigo can be caused by many things and to treat it effectively the root cause must be addressed. For some, physical therapy can be an excellent choice.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is the feeling that you are moving even though your body is staying still. Imagine spinning in a circle for a few minutes and then stopping and feeling as though the room is still moving around you. In those who suffer from vertigo, that same spinning feeling is happening but instead of riding a roller coaster, they are performing normal daily movements like laying down in bed or standing up from a chair. It can impact people of any age but is more likely to occur as a person ages.

Many people who experience vertigo also notice balance problems, resulting in stumbling or a drifting one direction as they walk. Some people may also feel lightheaded. Vertigo can be caused by many things and to treat it effectively the root cause must be addressed. For some, physical therapy can be an excellent choice.



If you are experiencing other serious symptoms including difficulty speaking or swallowing, weakness, facial droop, or confusion, immediately seek medical assistance. If your vertigo is continuous and lasts several hours or is accompanied by extreme nausea and vomiting your doctor may be able to provide medication assistance to dampen symptoms. However, if your vertigo only lasts for short periods of time and happens with changing body positions such as laying down or sitting up from bed, bending over, or tilting your head back, physical therapy should be your first stop! Your physical therapist will do a detailed examination to rule out serious causes. If your condition is stable your physical therapist can immediately guide you through treatment that can help in as little as one visit.

Can Physical Therapy Help Vertigo?

It may be surprising that physical therapy can actually improve a condition like vertigo but physical therapy can integrate many treatment techniques to resolve the underlying cause, help your system adapt to changing conditions, and get you back to doing your normal activities safely.

Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers

A common cause of vertigo is BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This condition occurs when a small “crystal” breaks loose from one part of the vestibular system and floats into another. If your therapist determines this to be the root cause of your symptoms they will guide you through a series of head and body positions to allow the crystal to drift back to where it belongs. This can work in as little as one treatment.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy helps the brain to re-learn the proper way to adapt to movement stimuli if there is a loss of nerve function or a sensory sensitivity at fault. There are typically three components to this process.

#1: Gaze Stabilization

Your vestibular system and your eyes have a close connection in order to keep your vision steady as your head moves. If this communication is disrupted, your physical therapist can utilize gaze stabilization to retrain this reflex. To do this, they will have you fix your eyes on a specific point and create head movement at a speed that challenges this connection and allows your sensory systems to adapt. 

#2: Habituation

The second component of treating vertigo with physical therapy involves habituation, which is the progressive exposure to aggravating movements or actions that cause your symptoms. When your body is exposed to these activities at an intensity it can tolerate, your brain can learn how to manage those specific movements without triggering the abnormal feeling of dizziness. This process typically requires consistency and time.

#3: Balance Training

The third component is balance training, which helps to strengthen the balance systems that were not affected by your underlying cause of symptoms. Physical therapists can create balance exercises that challenge and improve your ability to maintain stability. These exercises may involve standing on unstable surfaces, performing specific movements, or utilizing specialized equipment. If muscle weakness or poor posture are contributing to your balance problems, a physical therapist can address problem areas by providing exercises, stretches, and ergonomic advice to improve posture and reduce associated symptoms.

There is no reason to put off physical therapy since it can be one of the best and least invasive methods of treating your condition. If your doctor has recommended the use of physical therapy, it is always a good idea to follow through and it is easier to do than you may realize. 

How Rock Valley Physical Therapy Treats Vertigo

At Rock Valley Physical Therapy we can help you regain confidence in your movements. With the correct use of a range of physical therapy methods and strategies, you may see significant improvement in the symptoms of vertigo. Our goal is to get you back to doing the things you love without feeling limited by symptoms. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you.