Vertigo

Summit Physical Therapy AZ

Physical Therapists & Rehabilitation Specialists located in Gilbert, AZ & Mesa, AZ

It can be disconcerting when you feel like you’re moving when you’re standing still. Physical Therapist, Hannah Frost PT, DPT, COMT, Cert MDT, RYT, AIB-VR II is a Vestibular Specialist and Certified in Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation. She can help relieve or work around your feelings of unsteadiness with repositioning maneuvers and balance training. If you’re looking for a physical therapist in the Gilbert, Arizona, area to address your vertigo, call Summit Physical Therapy AZ or use the online booking option to set up an appointment.

Vertigo Q & A

What causes vertigo and dizziness?

If you feel unsteady, like the world is spinning around you, you’re likely suffering from vertigo or dizziness. The most likely causes of your feelings of unbalance include:

Inner ear problems
Dehydration
Blood pressure fluctuations
Head injury
Migraines
Medication side effects

Vertigo usually has to do with inner ear conditions. Inflammation, calcium or fluid buildup, and infection in the inner ear impact your balance in significant ways. The intricate mechanisms in your ear are responsible for your sense of position, and any disruption to that complex system can make you feel off-balance.

What are the dangers of vertigo and dizziness?

While vertigo is rarely a sign of a serious condition, it can leave you at risk for falling and injury. Your balance and stability are compromised, so you could fall and hurt yourself just by walking.

Activities like climbing ladders or walking across beams pose a significant threat when you have dizzy spells. You may also be more likely to have a car accident if you experience vertigo while driving.

It’s important to treat vertigo and dizziness as soon as possible to prevent the underlying condition from progressing. Early treatment establishes the best outcomes.

How can a physical therapist help with vertigo and dizziness?

Physical therapists use special techniques to help fix the underlying cause of your dizziness:

Canalith repositioning

If you have loose calcium crystals in your ears, Hannah Frost may have you perform head-tilting movements to reposition the crystals. She can also teach you how to perform these maneuvers at home.

Balance rehabilitation

When you have ongoing troubles with balance, you may benefit from training your brain to adapt to movement using your sight and other senses. Hannah has you move your head while you focus on an unmoving object to help your brain adjust to motion.