Are you dizzy all the time? Or does it last for less than a minute? Many older adults are diagnosed with “BPPV Vertigo” (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), which only happens when you move a certain way and lasts for less than a minute. Physical Therapy has specific treatments for BPPV, which are very effective. However, many of my patients tell me they are dizzy “all the time.” It affects their balance and overall quality of life. They are fearful of falling and tend to be less active, shuffle their feet and look down to try to be safer. Unfortunately, these tactics make them less safe. “Dizzy” medications don’t relieve the dizziness either; they tend to make a patient sleepy and less active.
So why are you, or your loved one dizzy all the time? It may be PPPD.
PPPD stands for Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness. It's a chronic condition characterized by lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or dizziness triggered by various everyday activities like standing, walking, or moving your head. While not life-threatening, it can significantly affect daily life and well-being. Here's how physical therapy can help patients with PPPD:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation: This specific type of therapy plays a crucial role. A qualified physical therapist can design a personalized exercise program tailored to your needs and symptoms. These exercises often focus on:
- Habituation: Gradually expose yourself to movements and visual stimuli that trigger dizziness in a controlled environment. This helps your brain to adapt and become less sensitive to these triggers, reducing future symptoms.
- Balance training: Improving your vestibular system's ability to interpret sensory information from your inner ear, eyes, and muscles, leading to better balance and stability.
- Gaze stabilization: Training your eyes to track moving objects smoothly, reducing dizziness associated with visual motion.
- Manual therapy: Techniques like soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization performed by a licensed Physical Therapist can help address the following:
- Muscle tension and guarding: This often occurs in the neck and shoulders due to the body's attempt to compensate for dizziness. Relaxing these muscles can improve head and body coordination and reduce associated headaches or migraines.
- Postural alignment: Addressing postural imbalances can improve balance and reduce dizziness triggers. This can be accomplished with Rehab Pilates, where manual therapy is combined with specific, and individualized movement patterns to address these imbalances and restore your body’s neutral alignment. Rehab Pilates can significantly improve postural imbalances in a safe, effective way, utilizing mind-body awareness and functional movements guided by a licensed Physical Therapist.
It's important to remember that PPPD treatment is individualized, and physical therapy is often just one piece of the puzzle. Other approaches like medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy might also be involved in your treatment plan. You should consult your doctor to discuss a comprehensive treatment approach to treating your dizziness.
For more information on balance and dizzy treatments and a free consultation at Align with Sue, please give us a call at 941-841-9591.
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