6 physical therapy techniques that may help relieve your vertigo

Vertigo makes it feel like the room is spinning even when you’re standing perfectly still. You might think you’re moving or that your surroundings are. It can make everyday activities like driving, walking or even standing feel unsafe. A study found that 1 in 5 people experience this feeling occasionally. Vertigo has many different causes, including head injuries, inner ear disorder or, in rare cases, a stroke. 

While the spinning might seem like it won’t stop, physical therapy may help ease this sensation. At KC Rehab, our experts can work one-on-one with you to find the root cause of your vertigo and develop a personalized plan to help you improve your balance and stability.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about physical therapy techniques that may help relieve your vertigo, so you can discover how this option may enhance your quality of life.

6 physical therapy techniques that may help relieve your vertigo

Physical therapy can help retrain your brain and body using specific exercises designed to improve coordination and balance. These exercises may help you adapt to changes in movement, reducing dizziness. A physical therapist can guide you through these exercises, so you can have a safe and effective treatment experience.

Here are six physical therapy techniques that may help manage vertigo: 

1. Epley maneuver 

The Epley maneuver is a common treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a type of vertigo that occurs when tiny calcium crystals move in the inner ear. During this technique, a physical therapist can guide you through a series of gentle head and body movements, which can help reposition the crystals. After the crystals return to the right place, the spinning sensation may lessen or stop completely.

2. Brandt-Daroff exercise

The Brandt-Daroff exercise is an exercise you can do at home to help your brain adapt to dizziness feelings caused by BPPV. It involves a series of sitting, quickly turning your head and lying down on your side. This exercise is designed to train your brain to become less sensitive to dizziness. Repeating these movements can help dislodge and relocate the inner ear crystals, alleviating vertigo symptoms. Over time, the dizziness may become less frequent.

3. Foster maneuver 

Also known as the half somersault maneuver, the Foster maneuver is another physical therapy technique to address BPPV. This technique uses a series of head and body movements that may help reposition the inner ear crystals causing dizziness. A physical therapist can guide you through this technique safely to help prevent discomfort or injury. Many people experience quick relief from spinning using the Foster maneuver. 

4. Habituation exercises

Habituation exercises are designed to decrease dizziness over time by repeatedly exposing your brain to the movements that trigger vertigo. By practicing these movements under the guidance of a physical therapist, your nervous system may learn to adapt to them, easing the spinning sensations. With practice, the spinning may become less frequent and less intense. Your physical therapist may recommend these exercises for you if your vertigo is caused by motion sensitivity or vestibular dysfunction.

5. Balance exercises

Balance exercises may help treat most types of vertigo, not just BPPV. The goal of these exercises is to improve coordination, stability and posture. Your physical therapist may guide you through exercises like walking from heel to toe, standing on one foot or shifting your weight from side to side. Over time, these simple balance exercises can help your brain enhance its balancing system and lower your risk of falling. Many of our patients find that these exercises can make daily movement easier and help them feel more confident.

6. Gaze stabilization

Gaze stabilization is a type of exercise designed to help you focus on an object while moving your head. This technique helps the eyes and brain process what you see clearly during head movement, decreasing dizziness. With practice, these exercises can make daily activities like reading, walking or turning your head more comfortable. A physical therapist may recommend this technique to treat multiple types of vertigo.

KC Rehab’s physical therapists can help you relieve your vertigo

If the room feels like it’s spinning and can’t stop, it could be a sign of vertigo. Fortunately, physical therapy can reduce this sensation or make it stop entirely. A physical therapist can work with you to overcome these challenges with exercises personalized to your needs.

At KC Rehab, our experts are here to guide you through safe, personalized exercises to help you relieve your vertigo. We have several locations in the Kansas City, Missouri, area for your convenience. Don’t let the spinning take over. Reach out to us, and we can help you regain your balance and confidence.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.