Vertigo and dizziness are symptoms that are usually manifested from dysfunction of the vestibular system. We perceive our place in the environment through 3 main systems including the visual, proprioceptive and vestibular systems. When one or more of these areas is not functioning correctly, the brain receives mixed signals about how our body is interacting with the environment. The visual system involves our eyes and what we are able to see in our environment. The proprioceptive system is in charge of providing the brain with the information about how our body is moving throughout the space around us. This is done through all joints, nerve, and muscles in our body. The vestibular system is the most likely one that causes symptoms of vertigo and dizziness. It is located within the inner ear and is used to orient our head position in space for balance.

Common causes of vertigo and dizziness:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

• Infection

• Meniere’s disease

• Migraine

• Low blood sugar

• Dehydration

• Decreased blood pressure

Physiotherapy for vertigo and dizziness:

Physiotherapy treatment for vertigo and dizziness will be dependent on the cause of the symptoms. Firstly, there will be a thorough interview to understand cause and behaviour of symptoms. Next a physical assessment will identify the problematic areas in order to guide treatment to effectively reduce your symptoms. Treatment for vertigo and dizziness may include manual techniques to correct dysfunctional structures, exercise prescription to reinforce the manual techniques performed during sessions as well as advice and education regarding the condition and symptom prevention and management techniques.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty speaking/slurred speech

• Trouble understanding speech

• Blurred or double vision

• Sudden visual loss

• Facial droop

• Pain

Then please immediately call 000