Do you ever find yourself avoiding certain head positions because it seems to make the room spin? There is a chance you have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – and physiotherapy can fix this! Read on to find out more:
What is BPPV?
BPPV affects 2.4 % of people sometime during their life. It is a condition that affects your vestibular system which is responsible for telling our brain where our head is positioned in space. This system does this using some small crystals that float in canals in our middle ear – and they move as we move our head. Unfortunately sometimes these crystals can move from where they should be – this can cause Vertigo
Signs and Symptoms
- Dizziness
- A sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving (vertigo)
- A loss of balance or unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
How your Physiotherapist can help you?
The first step of managing this condition is confirming that the issue is in fact BPPV and which canals are affected – this is done with a few different tests that check which head movements re-create the patient’s symptoms.
Once your physiotherapist has identified the problem, this can be treated with a series of head movements done in a particular sequence to reposition the displaced crystal to where it should be.
Once this treatment is completed – you will be sent home with some post treatment do’s and don’ts and will likely be reviewed by your physiotherapist in the following days to confirm the treatment worked as intended.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO: See your physiotherapist for an assessment and advice on how to manage your condition – don’t go another day with dizziness!
DON’T ignore the problem – BPPV can be fixed within a few sessions of Physiotherapy! Your physiotherapist can refer you for further investigations if required.