Vertigo

At PhysioHouse, our physiotherapists and chiropractors are well trained to diagnose and treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is the most common vestibular disorder, and is characterized by a false sense of spinning, or a sensation that the room is spinning around you. Often BPPV has no known trigger, other than a sudden head movement, such as rolling a certain direction in bed, or bending forward while putting shoes on. Other known causes of BPPV include car accidents, falls or collisions in contact sports.

BPPV / vertigo treatment by a trained healthcare provider such as a physiotherapist or chiropractor has shown great results. In fact, research shows that 90% of patients have resolution of symptoms with as little as 1-3 treatments.

What causes BPPV?

BPPV is a mechanical problem in the inner ear. It occurs when some of the calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) that are normally embedded in gel in the utricle become dislodged and migrate into one or more of the three fluid-filled semicircular canals, where they are not supposed to be. When enough of these particles accumulate in one of the canals they interfere with the normal fluid movement that these canals use to sense head motion, causing the inner ear to send false signals to the brain. These false signals are what cause the temporary spinning sensation.

1. Parnes LS, et al. Diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). CMAJ. 2003 169(7):681-693

2. VEDA: Vestibular Disorder Association: vestibular.org