Have you ever felt like the room is spinning, you feel unsteady while walking, or your balance just does not feel right? You are not alone. Dizziness and balance problems are common, but many people are unsure what is causing them or where to seek help.
Many people use the words dizziness and vertigo interchangeably, but they can describe different experiences.
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when they are actually still. People often describe it as:
- Feeling like the room is spinning
- Feeling pulled to one side
- Feeling dizzy when turning your head, rolling over in bed, or looking up
Dizziness is a broader term that can include:
- Feeling light-headed
- Feeling unsteady or off balance
- Feeling like you are walking on a boat
- Feeling unsure on your feet
Because dizziness can have many different causes, a proper assessment is important to understand what is happening and how to treat it. A comprehensive physiotherapy assessment can help identify the underlying cause and guide the most appropriate treatment plan. Learn more about our physiotherapy services here.
Why do we feel dizzy?
Your balance system is like a team working together. It relies on:
- Your inner ear (vestibular system)
- Your eyes
- Your muscles and joints, which provide information about your body position
- Your brain, which processes all these signals
When these systems are not working well together, your brain may receive confusing information, leading to dizziness, vertigo, or balance difficulties.
Common causes of dizziness that physiotherapy can help with
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It happens when tiny calcium crystals inside the inner ear move into an area where they should not be, affecting your balance signals.
People with BPPV often notice:
- A spinning sensation when turning in bed
- Dizziness when looking up or bending down
- Short episodes of vertigo triggered by certain head movements
The good news is that BPPV often responds very well to specific assessment and treatment techniques performed by trained physiotherapists.
Vestibular problems (inner ear balance problems)
Sometimes the balance system in the inner ear does not work properly after an injury, infection, or other conditions. This can cause:
- Feeling unsteady while walking
- Difficulty walking in busy environments
- Feeling uncomfortable with head movements
- Trouble focusing your eyes when moving
Vestibular rehabilitation uses specific exercises to help your brain adapt and improve your balance. Discover how vestibular rehabilitation can help here.
Cervicogenic dizziness (dizziness related to the neck)
Your neck contains many sensors that provide important information to your brain about your head position and movement. Sometimes problems such as neck stiffness, injury, poor movement control, or muscle tension can contribute to dizziness.
Cervicogenic dizziness may be associated with:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Headaches
- Dizziness linked with neck movements
- Reduced neck mobility
A physiotherapist can assess whether your neck may be contributing to your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment through a personalized physiotherapy program.
If your dizziness developed after a concussion or head injury, it may also be related to persistent concussion symptoms. Learn more about our concussion management services here.
How can physiotherapy help with dizziness?
At New Life Physio and Health Clinic, we assess and treat patients experiencing vestibular and balance-related problems, including conditions such as BPPV, vestibular dysfunction, and cervicogenic dizziness.
Our assessment may include:
- Understanding your symptoms and triggers
- Checking eye movements and balance responses
- Assessing neck movement and function
- Performing specific positional tests when needed
- Evaluating your walking and balance
Treatment may include:
- Specific exercises for the balance system
- Repositioning techniques for BPPV
- Balance training
- Neck mobility and strengthening exercises when appropriate
- Education and strategies to help you manage symptoms confidently
When should you seek medical advice?
Most dizziness problems are not serious, but some symptoms require urgent medical attention. Seek medical advice if dizziness occurs with:
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of coordination
- Severe sudden headache
- Chest pain or fainting
You do not have to live with dizziness
Feeling dizzy or off balance can affect your confidence, independence, and daily activities. The good news is that many causes of dizziness can be assessed and treated effectively.
If you are experiencing vertigo, dizziness, balance problems, or dizziness related to your neck, New Life Physio and Health Clinic can help you understand the cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you move with confidence again.
Ready to take the first step? Book your physiotherapy assessment online today.