BPPV is one of the most common forms of vertigo and refers to the sudden sensation of the room or your head spinning. This sensation is often associated with specific changes in your head position and lasts for a minute or less.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, a physiotherapist may be able to help you resolve them.
What is Vertigo
Vertigo is caused by displacement of the calcium carbonate crystals (called otoconia) in your inner ear. These crystals usually sit in sensory chambers called the utricle and saccule and move small hairs within your ear to send signals to your brain about where your body is in space.
When the crystals become detached, they can travel into the fluid filled spaces of the inner ear including the semicircular canal which sense rotation of the head.
The displacement of otoconia into the semi-circular canals disrupts the signals to your brain about your body position and in turn causes symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance.
Why Does Vertigo Occur
The cause of vertigo is still unclear however, some theories suggest that it can be caused by degenerative changes or damage to the inner ear during surgery. It is also sometimes associated with traumatic head injuries.Â
Some factors that may increase the risk of developing BPPV include gender, hypertension, recurrent migraines, hyperlipidaemia, and menopause.Â
How Can Physio Help
Our Physiotherapists at Precision Physio can perform an assessment to determine whether BPPV is the cause of your symptoms.
If it is, your Physio will use a technique to help settle symptoms of BPPV. This technique involves a series of movements designed to dislodge the crystals from the semicircular canal and move them back to the utricle where they belong.
The assessment and treatment for vertigo can be very intense as it will provoke symptoms however, it is effective and generally will reduce symptoms within the first few sessions.
This Article
Was written by one of our great Physio’s at Precision Physio Concord – Maddy Elazzi. To work with Maddy or any of our talented Precision Physio team members, please get in touch.
How Do I Book An Appointment?
We’re taking the health of our clients, members and staff very seriously and our preference would be for you to call to book an appointment so that we can make sure to explain our approach to keeping you safe. You can call any of these numbers to schedule a session:
- Precision Physio Concord: 02 9736 3950
- Precision Physio St Marys: 02 9623 2220
- Precision Physio Mt Druitt: 02 9188 2552
Online Consultations
Evolving with the current environment, we are also now offering online appointments, meaning that we can support anyone who is unable to leave their home. Sessions are done via our state of the art Telehealth system and as long as you have a laptop or tablet with an inbuilt camera, or a phone with camera, we can help!
To learn more about online consultations, please call us on any of the numbers listed above.
