Physical Therapy for Vertigo
If you’re thinking about getting physical therapy for your vertigo, let’s talk about some specifics. First of all, it’s crucial to remember that vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Various factors will lead your doctor to understand what the underlying cause is, so it’s critical to have an appropriate diagnosis for the type of vertigo you suffer from.
Once you make an appointment with your family doctor, they will be able to send you to a specialist if necessary. Also, keep in mind that dizziness is a feeling of light-headedness, whereas vertigo is the feeling that the floor moves or that the room spins. Start making a list of symptoms before your appointment, so you can be sure to tell your doctor everything about your symptoms.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo occurs when the tiny calcium carbonate crystals in your inner ear deteriorate and break into microscopic fragments and is one of the most prevalent causes of vertigo. This is because the inner ear is filled with fluid; when these fragments float into the semi-circular canals, they fool your body into thinking you’re going super-fast when you’re not.
Because the protein coating that coats the crystals and maintains them in place diminishes with age, this is most common in elderly persons.
Treatment for Vertigo
Treatment with a team of physical therapists entails repositioning the crystals, which may be done swiftly. The physical therapist must first determine which ear canal is damaged. The physical therapist uses your eyes as a window to the inner ear because the crystals are small.
When the crystals move, we look for a certain aberrant movement in the eyes. We can figure out which ear is involved by looking at this.
While lying on your back, side, or stomach, there are many repositioning maneuvers that require shifting your head and body. The procedure can take anything from 15 to 20 minutes. The displaced crystals float back into place, where they are absorbed, thanks to gravity.
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If you are considering physical therapy and you are in the Asheville, NC, area, we’d love to connect with you!
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