Dizziness comes in many forms including spinning, lightheadedness, wooziness, floating, unsteadiness, motion sensitivity, visual sensitivity, foggy feeling and sometimes just feeling “off”. Dizziness can have many causes including the inner ear (BPPV, vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis, vestibular hypofunctions, etc.), the brain (neurological disorders) and the neck (cervicogenic dizziness from improper alignment, neck strain, dysfunction of the neck proprioceptors/reflexes, vertebral artery insufficiency, etc.).
Other causes of dizziness include orthostatic hypotension, cardiovascular problems, medication, anxiety/stress, migraines, dehydration, and more. It is extremely important to find the underlying cause of dizziness to be able to treat it appropriately.
Our physical therapists have extensive knowledge and use specialized equipment to identify WHY you are dizzy. Dizziness comes from many different causes. Our testing will help our providers find the reason you are dizzy to provide the best treatment. Once we have identified the cause of your dizziness, we treat your symptoms to help you feel better. Treatments are individualized to you.
First, the physical therapist will talk to you and ask questions to find out more information about your dizziness. Next you will undergo testing including an assessment of how you walk/balance. The therapist will then perform an assessment of how your brain and ear respond to a series of tests using Video Frenzel Goggles (special state-of-the-art equipment used to help find out why you are dizzy).
The physical therapist will perform a series of tests to determine the cause of your dizziness. Further balance testing can help with diagnosis using Bertec Technology including Computerized Dynamic Posturography and/or computerized static force plate balance testing. Each of these tests are objective computerized measurements and compared to evidence and standards in research. Balance testing further determines how your balance systems are working and whether the inner ear is functioning and contributing to your dizziness or feeling of unsteadiness. Additional tests are used to rule out other causes of dizziness when the inner ear is not the cause.
Our physical therapists determine the cause of your dizziness to provide accurate treatment techniques and teach you how to reduce your symptoms so you have control over your dizziness. We work to restore function to all parts of your balance systems (ears, eyes, sense of touch) to reduce fall risk and prevent falls.
Our goal is to improve your ability to perform all physical activity with reduced symptoms and get back to a normal lifestyle. We will help you reduce your fear and anxiety over dizziness symptoms and improve confidence with all activities. Through education and exercise, you will be able to return safely to normal activity.