We\’ve all felt dizzy before as if we couldn’t focus or keep upright without swaying or falling over. You may experience dizziness after spinning in circles or getting out of your chair too quickly. It’s a pretty common feeling!
Many of us have experienced tunnel vision, in which our peripheral vision darkens for a few seconds. This can be frightening and leave you feeling disoriented and worried about your safety, especially if it happens frequently!
If this is something that has an impact on your day-to-day life, you may benefit from seeing a therapist a Total Performance Physical Therapy to help you discover a long-term solution to your problem.
Our vestibular therapists specialize in helping patients battling symptoms of dizziness and vertigo so that they can return to a normal lifestyle without the fear of getting hurt.
Request an appointment in Hatfield, North Wales today to learn more about our vestibular rehabilitation and aquatic therapy programs. We’d be happy to set up an appointment for you!
What is the difference between vertigo and feeling dizzy?
Did you know that feeling dizzy and vertigo are not the same? Vertigo is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the inner ear, also known as the “vestibular system.”
Your vestibular system helps you maintain your balance and center of gravity by sending messages to your brain regarding your movement. When this is impaired, the necessary messages become blocked from your brain, which affects your movement.
You may feel that the world is spinning around you, that you can’t focus your vision for prolonged periods, or stand/move appropriately without feeling like you will topple over. Some of the most common reasons for experiencing vertigo are down below.
Reasons you may be dizzy
There are several reasons why you’re feeling dizzy or off-balance. Some of the most common conditions causing vertigo that our therapists at Total Performance Physical Therapy in Hatfield, North Wales, and Norristown have experience treating are:
Meniere’s disease
This occurs when fluid builds up in your ear(s). This typically includes “ringing” in your ear and sudden waves of intense dizziness that may last for hours. You may also experience momentary hearing losses.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be living with vertigo:
- Sweating
- Abnormal eye movements
- Arm or leg weakness
- Difficulty seeing or speaking
- Inability to focus or remain alert
- Nausea or vomiting
- Double vision
Vestibular neuritis
This is an inner-ear infection that can cause vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and problems concentrating.
Stroke
A stroke affects movement in your whole body. If you recently suffered a stroke, you may experience waves of vertigo that may linger for extended periods.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
The most prevalent cause of vertigo is BPPV. This condition occurs when the little calcium crystals in your ears break apart and travel to different sections of your ear where they aren\’t supposed to be. This can result in unexpected spinning sensations (vertigo) and discomfort in the inner ear.
Migraines
Migraines are super common! They’re pretty painful and can end up having you benched for the rest of the day, depending on when you get one. Migraines can impact your vestibular system, thus causing episodes of vertigo which may be coupled with a sensitivity to light or sound. Vision may also be impaired.
The benefits of vestibular rehabilitation
Our clinic’s aquatic and occupational therapists are very skilled in diagnosing and treating both dizziness and vertigo for our patients located in Hatfield, North Wales, and Norristown. Vestibular therapy requires therapies such as Epley and Cawthorne head exercises.
The Epley Maneuver helps the canalith to be repositioned to transfer damaged calcium crystals in patients with BPPV. Cawthorne head exercises concentrate on decreasing nerve sensitivity and reducing vertiginous effects.
Your therapist will assess your condition and create a customized treatment plan to address your concerns and get you back to feeling steady on your feet. Your treatment may involve exercises in water, such as water walking and high knee marching.
It’s vital to remember that every patient has a unique set of circumstances, and no two treatment approaches are comparable! Yours will be tailored to your unique requirements, and you are welcome to contact us with any queries you may have concerning your treatment.
Request an appointment in Hatfield, North Wales, and Norristown today
It’s time to fight back against dizziness and symptoms of vertigo. Life is happening right now, and you don’t want to miss it because you’re on your couch, and the room is spinning!
Call Total Performance Physical Therapy today to schedule an appointment and have your condition assessed once and for all.
