24) Dizziness And Physiotherapy: How A Physio Can Help

Dizziness can be a frustrating and even scary experience. Whether it’s a sudden spinning sensation, a feeling of unsteadiness, or general light-headedness, dizziness can interfere with daily life. The good news? Physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat the various types, including vertigo, to help you regain balance and confidence.

In this blog, we’ll explore how physiotherapy can help with dizziness, the different types that can be treated, and a real-life case of a patient who improved with physiotherapy.

Types of Dizziness Physiotherapists Can Assess and Treat

Dizziness isn’t just one condition—it’s a symptom with multiple causes. Physiotherapists can assess and treat:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and move into the wrong canal. This leads to brief but intense episodes where the world feels as though it is spinning. It is often triggered by head movements, such as rolling over in bed or looking up.

Physiotherapy treatment:

Canalith repositioning manoeuvres (e.g., the Epley manoeuvre) to move the dislodged crystals back where they belong.
Education on how to manage symptoms and avoid provoking movements until the issue is resolved.

2. Cervicogenic Dizziness

This type originates from the neck and is often linked to poor posture, neck stiffness, or injury (e.g., whiplash). People with cervicogenic dizziness often report feeling unsteady or “off-balance” rather than experiencing true vertigo.

Physiotherapy treatment:

Hands-on treatment for neck stiffness and muscle tightness.
Postural correction and strengthening exercises.
Balance retraining to improve stability.

3. Concussion-Related Dizziness

It is a common symptom following a concussion. It may be due to vestibular dysfunction, neck issues, or visual disturbances.

Physiotherapy treatment:

Vestibular therapy to improve gaze stability and balance.
Neck treatment if cervicogenic is present.
Graded return-to-activity programs to ensure safe recovery.

A Recent Patient Case: Overcoming Cervicogenic Dizziness with Physiotherapy

Let’s look at a real-life example of a patient who was able to improve with physiotherapy.

Meet Sarah (name changed for privacy)

Sarah, a 42-year-old office worker, came into our clinic complaining of persistent dizziness that had been affecting her for months. She described it as a “floating” sensation rather than true spinning vertigo. It was worse after long hours at her desk and when she turned her head too quickly. She had seen a GP and undergone tests, but everything came back clear.

Assessment and Diagnosis

After a thorough assessment, we identified that Sarah’s symptoms were cervicogenic in nature—meaning it stemmed from her neck. She had significant muscle tightness in her upper neck, poor posture from long hours at her desk, and limited neck movement.

Physiotherapy Treatment

Sarah’s treatment plan included:

Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to release tight neck muscles and improve joint mobility.
Postural correction: Exercises to strengthen her postural muscles and reduce strain on her neck.
Balance retraining: Specific exercises to improve her stability and reduce her dizziness episodes.
Education: Advice on workplace ergonomics and strategies to prevent recurrence.

Outcome

After four weeks of physiotherapy, Sarah reported a significant reduction in her dizziness. She felt more stable, her neck was moving more freely, and she could work without constant discomfort. With ongoing exercises, she was able to return to normal activities without the symptoms interfering in her life.

How to Know if Physiotherapy Can Help

If you experience dizziness, a physiotherapy assessment can help determine the cause. Physiotherapists use specific tests to differentiate between vestibular, neck-related, or other causes.

You may benefit from physiotherapy if you:

Have your symptoms triggered by head or neck movements.
Feel unsteady when walking or changing positions.
Have a history of neck stiffness, poor posture, or recent injury.
Experience lingering symptoms after a viral illness or concussion.

Final Thoughts

We know it can be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with it. Physiotherapists are well-equipped to assess and treat various forms of dizziness, from BPPV to cervicogenic dizziness. If you have symptoms described in this blog, a physio appointment could be the first step towards feeling steady and confident again.

References and Further Reading

Better Health Channel. (n.d.). Dizziness and Vertigo. Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Vestibular Disorders Association. (n.d.). Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy. Retrieved from https://vestibular.org
Physiopedia. (n.d.). Cervicogenic Dizziness. Retrieved from https://www.physio-pedia.com
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org

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