Patients often will bring up these complaints while in the clinic for physical therapy. Usually they don’t know why they are experiencing dizziness or spinning. They describe it as intense and sudden. If they think more about it they can associate it with head movement.
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is the most common cause of vertigo. It involves the inner ear canals and calcium deposits called the “rocks” of the inner ear. As we age the “rocks” can move into a different canal throwing off your perception. When this happens you experience dizziness or spinning sensations. Once you have experienced it, there is a likelihood of it reoccurring. It can be debilitating and in many instances is endured for many years before treatment is sought.
Thankfully, BPPV is very easy to treat. We as physical therapists, treat it often. Typically it takes 1-3 sessions for the symptoms to go away. Current research states the only program to follow up with is to sleep semi reclined and to avoid end range motion of the neck for 24 hours.