Conditions: Vertigo & Dizziness
Vertigo is a term which is often used to describe ‘dizziness’. However, what many people do not realise is that dizziness has many different forms and can have a variety of different causes. Apex Physiotherapists are experienced in differentiating, diagnosing and effectively treating many types of dizziness and vertigo.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Benign – it is not life-threatening, Paroxysmal – it comes in sudden, brief spells, Positional – it is triggered by certain head positions or movements of the head, Vertigo – a false sense of spinning or rotational movement is caused by a disruption of the balance organ (vestibular system) within the inner ear.
Symptoms can include:
- a feeling of the room spinning
- inability to focus eyes on objects
- dizziness with particular head movements (eg rolling over in bed, looking up)
- symptoms lasting for a matter of seconds to minutes, occurring with specific head movements
- Nausea and vomiting are also quite common with this type of vertigo
Treatment includes repositioning techniques to reduce acute symptoms, followed by rehabilitation and retraining of the balance and vestibular systems.
Cervicogenic Dizziness: is defined as dizziness associated with neck pain or injury.
Symptoms can include:
- Dizziness associated with head movement or a sustained neck posture
- Dizziness usually occurs after neck pain and a headache may also be present
- Dizziness will decrease as neck symptoms decrease
- Symptoms can last for minutes to hours
Treatment is required to reduce neck pain and stiffness including joint mobilisations and massage as well as to retrain the muscles and nerves of the neck. Treatment and rehabilitation to address the vestibular and balance systems may also be required for complete resolution.
