Everyone feels dizzy now and then. But if it becomes a regular part of your day, it can interfere with your ability to work, drive, and enjoy life. Chronic dizziness can stem from a wide range of causes, but with the right care and strategies from the team at IMG Physical Therapy, you can manage it successfully.
Understanding the Difference: Dizziness vs. Vertigo
Before we dive into how our physical therapists address dizziness, we need to clear up a common misconception: dizziness is not the same as vertigo.
- Dizziness is a general feeling of being unsteady, faint, or off-balance.
- Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that feels like the room is spinning, even when you’re standing still.
Both dizziness and vertigo can profoundly impact daily life, causing nausea, unsteadiness, and fatigue. However, they have different triggers and treatment approaches.
Common Causes of Chronic Dizziness
Chronic dizziness and vertigo can be linked to several health issues. Understanding the cause is key to finding the right treatment, which is why our approach always starts with an in-depth assessment of your symptoms and health history. Here are some of the causes we often see at our clinic:
Inner Ear Disorders
Vestibular dysfunction affects balance and spatial orientation and often causes both dizziness and vertigo. Some examples include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear shift out of place
- Vestibular neuritis, which is inflammation of the inner ear, often caused by a viral infection
Neurological Conditions
- Migraines, especially vestibular migraines, can cause dizziness and vertigo (but not necessarily a headache)
- Concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries often leave lingering symptoms, including balance problems and dizziness.
Cardiovascular and Systemic Issues
These issues typically cause dizziness but not vertigo.
- Low blood pressure, dehydration, low blood sugar, and poor circulation can reduce blood flow to the brain.
- Anxiety disorders and panic attacks may also cause ongoing dizziness due to rapid, shallow breathing from hyperventilation that alters the oxygen and carbon dioxide balance in the brain.
How Physical Therapy Helps Treat Chronic Dizziness
Physical therapy is an effective, non-invasive way to manage chronic dizziness and avoid related falls. Here are some of the techniques we might use in your treatment program:
Manual Therapy and Postural Correction
For dizziness caused by neck tension or alignment issues (sometimes called cervicogenic dizziness), we might suggest:
- Gentle mobilization techniques
- Postural retraining
- Stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck and upper back
Guided Balance and Gait Training
If your chronic dizziness is causing frequent falls or making you fearful of movement, we can help with that as well! We’ll develop customized programs to:
- Improve walking stability
- Regain confidence in movement
- Reduce fall risk through coordination drills
Managing Symptoms When the Cause Can’t Be Fully Resolved
While we always strive to resolve the underlying cause of your dizziness, there are some cases where that simply isn’t possible. In those situations, we shift our goals to symptom management. Here’s how we do it:
Education
- Understanding what triggers your dizziness helps you avoid flare-ups.
Self-Management Strategies
- We can help you identify self-management tips that work for you, such as avoiding sudden head movements or using visual anchors to reduce symptoms.
Home Exercise Plans
- We’ll design exercises you can continue independently to maintain progress.
Take Control of Chronic Dizziness with Help from IMG Physical Therapy
Dizziness doesn’t have to control your life. Whether it stems from a vestibular issue, a neck problem, or something else entirely, physical therapy can help identify the cause and build a plan to restore your balance and quality of life.
If you’re tired of feeling off-balance, contact our Fleetwood, PA clinic. Our experienced team will work with you to assess your symptoms, create a personalized treatment plan, and help you feel more stable and confident.
Schedule an appointment today and take the first step toward steady ground.
