Dizziness is caused by many factors. Physical therapy can help decipher the cause and provide treatment options! You do not have to feel like you are spinning out of control!
Dizziness can be caused by vestibular system dysfunction.
The vestibular system sits in your inner ear and maintains your balance and equilibrium by sensing your head position relative to your body. Crystals inside your inner ear alert your brain to changes in position. This is the system causing you to feel unsteady when you ride a roller coaster, for example.
Dizziness can be caused by weakness of the eye muscles or other visual changes.
Our eyes help orient us in space and work to confirm equilibrium. It does this along with it's partners--the vestibular and musculoskeletal systems. If an individual is getting poor info from one of these three systems, the eyes jump to correct the problem.
Dizziness can be caused by dysautonomia.
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term relating to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls many processes of our body like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. Dysautonomia also includes syndromes such as Long Covid, POTS, and inappropriate sinus tachycardia.
Dizziness can be caused by decreased activity and poor proprioception.
When activity levels are high, our musculoskeletal and vestibular systems work together to keep you upright. As we age, we lose some of our vestibular agility, and oftentimes, become more sedentary. It takes less to disrupt balance and equilibrium because we do not challenge it on a daily basis.
How can physical therapy help dizziness?
Together, we train the vestibular system by challenging vision, balance, and musculoskeletal systems.
We improve lower extremity strength to promote healthy walking patterns and transfer abilities.
We incorporate dual-task training to help balance while distracted or completing other tasks
We retrain the nervous system to tolerate activity without significant changes in heart rate.
About the author:
Dr. Hannah Brooks, PT, DPT, OCS, LAT, ATC is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Evansville. After completing the Forefront Therapy/Arcadia University Orthopedic Residency, Hannah successfully passed her board certification and is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She is originally from the St. Louis area but fell in love with the charm of Evansville while studying at the University of Evansville. Hannah is also a licensed certified athletic trainer and holds certifications in SFMA Level 1. Hannah has developed a love for working with the older adult in various forms throughout her Orthopedic, Neurologic, and Balance/Vestibular passions! She loves being on a Forefront team that is so invested and mission focused in working with the entire Tri-State community!
