Tucson, AZ - Vestibular Physical Therapy for Vertigo and Balance Issues
People describe it in all sorts of ways. One woman told us she rolled over in bed and the ceiling took off spinning for half a minute. Another patient said it’s more like being on a boat, a sort of tipsy, swaying feeling that gets worse in the cereal aisle at the grocery store. For others it only hits when they tip their head back to grab the colander off the top shelf. That’s unnerving, and pretty soon you’re skipping the farmers market and staying home. Most people are surprised to hear it’s coming from the inner ear, and that there’s therapy for it.
Deep inside each ear there’s a small balance organ that works with your eyes to tell your brain which way is up. When one side sends the wrong message, the room spins or the floor feels like it’s moving. Here are the reasons we see most:
- BPPV. Little calcium crystals get loose inside the ear, so rolling over or looking up sets off maybe thirty seconds of spinning.
- An inner ear infection that hangs on after a cold. You might feel woozy and unsteady for a few weeks.
- A knock to the head. It doesn’t have to be a big one, and a slip in the shower counts.
- Getting older. The balance system slows down a little, and people notice it in crowds or in the dark.
- Migraines, though some people with this kind never get much of a headache at all.
Some dizziness is an emergency. If it hits all at once and you also have slurred words, one side of the face sagging, an arm or leg that won’t work right, or a pounding headache unlike any you’ve had, call 911 right away.
What Happens at Your First Visit
We’ll ask whether it spins or sways, how long it lasts, and what sets it off. Then we’ll watch your eyes closely, since they give away a lot about what the inner ear is doing. We may also have you lie down and turn your head in certain positions to check for BPPV.
How Vestibular Therapy Helps
If it’s BPPV, the fix can be fast. We’ll guide your head through a series of positions that move the crystals back where they belong, and lots of people feel much better after one or two visits.
Other kinds of dizziness take a little longer. You’ll practice keeping your eyes on a target while you turn your head, and you’ll do the movements that bother you a little at a time so your brain gets used to them again. You’ll stand on a squishy pad with your eyes closed, or walk the hallway while turning your head left and right. It’s normal if that makes you a bit woozy for the first few days. Stick with it for three or four weeks, and most people are back to driving to work and walking the loop at Udall Park feeling much steadier.
If dizziness or vertigo has been throwing off your days, call Modern Medicine of South East Tucson, AZ. We’ll find out what’s causing it and help you feel steady again.
