Have you ever turned your head quickly and felt like the room was spinning? Or maybe you’ve stood up from the couch and had to pause because of a wave of dizziness. These sensations are more common than you might think, and they could be signs of a vestibular disorder. Around 69 million Americans have experienced this type of dysfunction, yet many go undiagnosed and untreated.
If dizziness, lightheadedness, or imbalance is affecting your daily life, you do not have to just wait it out. Vestibular physical therapy is a highly effective and specialized treatment that can help identify the cause and get you feeling steady again. This service is available at our Crown Point and Highland clinics.
What Is a Vestibular Disorder?
Vestibular dysfunction affects the inner ear system that helps your brain maintain balance and spatial awareness. When something goes wrong in this system, the result can be symptoms like:
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Positional vertigo
- Nausea
- Trouble with balance or posture
Older adults are especially at risk. Studies show that over 80 percent of seniors in outpatient settings experience symptoms. Vestibular dysfunction also increases the risk of falls, which are a leading cause of injury and hospital visits in older populations.
How It Affects Your Daily Life
Aside from the physical symptoms, vestibular dysfunction can take a toll on your emotional and cognitive health. People with chronic dizziness often experience increased anxiety, depression, and difficulty with memory or focus. These challenges can affect your ability to drive, work, socialize, or even complete simple household tasks.
Many individuals are told that their dizziness is nothing to worry about or that it will pass. But persistent vestibular issues can worsen over time without proper care.
Common Causes of Dizziness
There are more than 30 possible causes of dizziness. A trained vestibular physical therapist can help determine what is triggering your symptoms and design a plan to address it.
Some of the most common vestibular-related causes include:
- Inner Ear Imbalance
As we age, the inner ear structures that help us balance can begin to decline. This is one of the most common causes of dizziness in older adults. - Migraine-Associated Dizziness
People who suffer from migraines are more likely to experience dizziness. This can feel like pressure, spinning, or a sense of being off balance and may or may not be accompanied by a headache. - Inner Ear Infections or Viruses
Viral infections can inflame or damage the vestibular nerve, leading to sudden dizziness and sometimes hearing loss. - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
This is one of the easiest types of vertigo to treat. It happens when tiny crystals in the inner ear shift out of place, causing spinning sensations when you change positions. Treatment typically involves a series of guided movements by a physical therapist to reposition these crystals.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
A vestibular physical therapist is trained to assess the root cause of your dizziness and build a personalized treatment plan. Depending on your diagnosis, therapy may include:
- Balance training
- Eye movement exercises
- Head and neck positioning techniques
- Strengthening exercises
- Education on how to manage symptoms at home
In many cases, clients notice improvements after just a few sessions. Your therapist will also help identify triggers and give you tools to prevent flare-ups in the future.
Get Help at Crown Point and Highland
If dizziness or imbalance is affecting your quality of life, help is closer than you think. Our clinics in Crown Point and Highland offer specialized vestibular therapy to help you feel steady and confident again. No matter your age or activity level, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
