Vertigo is a relatively common complaint, and when it starts suddenly can be quite distressing. There are many causes of vertigo, with one particular type being commonly treated by physiotherapists known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV.
BPPV will typically produce brief periods of feelings of dizziness or spinning, which can range from mild to severe, and which are brought on by moving your head into certain positions. This occurs most commonly with lying down, rolling in bed, getting out of bed or looking up or down. Sufferers may also experience a feeling of their eyes twitching, which is known as nystagmus, and is easily observed by another person.
BPPV is caused by some small crystals which have moved into the wrong position in the balance organ in your inner ear. As you change position, these cause your inner ear to send the wrong message back to your brain about your current position. This causes a feeling of vertigo, which in the worst cases can cause nausea and vomiting and make people feel unsafe moving between positions, such as getting out of bed.
Our role as physiotherapists is to clear these crystals via one of several different positioning manoeuvres. Our therapists are trained to identify the particular type of BPPV, which ear and particularly, which part of the inner is affected. Once we have done this, we can select the best treatment approach to help you and your problem. These treatment manoeuvres are painless, but do involve certain movements or positions which will necessitate provoking the symptoms to fix the problem.
If you or someone you know is suffering from symptoms like this, contact us on 9298 9648 for an appointment and we will be more than happy to assist.
Author
Sean Fuller
Principal Partner
Senior Physiotherapist
Master of Manual Therapy
Sean is Practice Principal at Glen Forrest Physio, and he believes that any health care should be a collaborative process between you and the clinician, working together to achieve your goals, whatever they may be.
Over the years, Sean has worked with many elite level athletes, including being part of the Hopman Cup medical team for many years, but he is equally inspired to help everyone to solve their problems and get the best out of their lives.
Sean has special areas or interest in treating headaches, shoulder pain and neck pain. He has a strong focus on the professional development of the whole team within Midland Physiotherapy so that they are delivering not only the best clinical experience but also the best customer service experience possible for you.
He is always keeping active, playing golf, basketball and indoor cricket, and having previously done the Ironman Triathlon, the Avon Descent and Rottnest Channel Swim. He is now trying to learn how to surf (very badly at this stage) and he loves to spend time with his family of three teenage kids.
Special Interests:
- Treatment of Spinal Pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder Injuries