Key Takeaways
- Physiotherapy can help treat certain types of vertigo, especially when symptoms are triggered by head movement or linked to the inner ear
- Common treatable causes include BPPV, vestibular neuritis, post-concussion dizziness, and age-related balance decline
- Treatment may involve repositioning manoeuvres, vestibular rehabilitation exercises, balance retraining, and manual therapy, which is tailored to each person’s symptoms and goals
- You should see a physio if your dizziness is movement-triggered, recurring, affecting your daily life, or started after a head knock or illness
You might feel a wave of dizziness when rolling over in bed. Or get that strange off-balance feeling when turning your head, standing up, or looking up at a shelf. It’s not always easy to explain, but sometimes it feels like the room spins, or sometimes it’s just a brief sense of disorientation.
Naturally, you might have a few questions.
Is this vertigo? Is it something serious? Will it go away? And can physio actually help?
What many people don’t realise is that physiotherapy can play a key role in assessing and treating certain types of vertigo and dizziness. But knowing when to see a physio can make a real difference.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is the false sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when everything is actually still. Some people describe it as spinning, swaying, tilting, or feeling pulled to one side. It often shows up during certain head movements, such as turning in bed or looking up.
This type of dizziness is usually linked to the balance system in the inner ear, but it can also come from issues with how your brain processes movement.
That said, vertigo is just one form of dizziness. The term “dizziness” is often used to describe a range of sensations, including light-headedness, unsteadiness, or feeling off balance, even without any spinning involved.
Common causes of vertigo
There are many reasons someone might experience vertigo. Some are mechanical and respond well to physiotherapy, especially when they affect the inner ear or how your body senses and responds to movement.
Here are a few of the more common causes we see in the clinic.
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Caused by tiny crystals in the inner ear becoming dislodged. This often leads to a sudden spinning sensation triggered by head movements like rolling over in bed.
- Vestibular neuritis: A viral infection that affects the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, causing intense dizziness and balance problems.
- Post-concussion or head injury-related dizziness: This can disrupt the vestibular system or how the brain processes balance and movement.
- Age-related balance decline: The balance system becomes less responsive with age, increasing dizziness and fall risk.
Getting to the root cause is the first step towards the right treatment.
Vertigo symptoms to look out for
If you’re unsure whether what you’re feeling is vertigo, these are some of the common symptoms to keep in mind.
- A spinning or swaying sensation, even when still
- Dizziness triggered by turning your head or rolling in bed
- Feeling off balance when walking, especially in the dark or on uneven ground
- Light-headedness or a sense of floating
- Nausea or motion sensitivity
- Blurred vision or trouble focusing during movement
- Feeling like your eyes can’t keep up with your head
When to see a physio for Vertigo
So when is it time to book in with a physio?
If your dizziness feels like it’s being triggered by movement, or it’s starting to interfere with daily life, that’s usually a good place to start. You don’t need to wait until it becomes severe.
Here are a few signs it’s worth getting checked:
- Dizziness that comes on when you roll over, look up, or get out of bed
- A lingering sense of imbalance or feeling unsteady on your feet
- Trouble walking in low light or crowded spaces
- Ongoing episodes of vertigo that aren’t improving
- Dizziness after a head knock or fall
Getting assessed early can help you avoid unnecessary worry, and often, the right treatment can bring relief sooner than expected.
How physiotherapy helps with vertigo and dizziness
Many people assume they need to see a doctor first when it comes to dizziness. And while it’s important to rule out serious causes, not all vertigo is medical. Some of the more common types can be assessed and treated by a physiotherapist.
At Integrity Physiotherapy, we take the time to work out what’s driving your symptoms. We look at how your vestibular system, nervous system, and musculoskeletal system are all working together and where things might be misaligned.
From there, we tailor a plan to help settle symptoms and get your balance system back on track. That might include hands-on techniques, movement-based retraining, or simple strategies to help your brain and body adapt more comfortably to motion again.
Vestibular rehabilitation techniques we use
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treating vertigo. Your symptoms, triggers and lifestyle all help guide how we plan your care. At Integrity Physiotherapy, we use a range of vestibular rehabilitation techniques, tailored to your individual needs, whether your goal is to feel steadier on your feet, more confident moving around the house, or comfortable getting out and about again.
Repositioning manoeuvres
Techniques such as Epley’s and other manoeuvres can help treat BPPV by guiding the dislodged crystals in your inner ear back to where they belong.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
This includes targeted exercises that retrain how your brain processes movement and balance. Depending on your symptoms, we might use:
- Gaze stabilisation exercises
- Head and eye coordination drills
- Habituation strategies to reduce sensitivity to movement
- Balance and functional training to build stability and confidence
- VOR (vestibulo-ocular reflex) adaptation
- Sensory organisation and postural control work
Manual therapy
If your neck is contributing to symptoms (common in cases like cervicogenic dizziness), we may use hands-on techniques to restore mobility and reduce irritation.
The role of stress and the nervous system in dizziness
One last thing we thought might be helpful to mention (and something we often look into during your consultation) is how the nervous system might be influencing your symptoms.
Dizziness isn’t always just about the inner ear. When your system is under stress or running in overdrive, it can heighten how your body reacts to movement, making even small motions feel more intense.
Things such as poor sleep, fear of symptoms, anxiety, or mental overload can play a part, even if you don’t feel “stressed” as such. That’s why we look at the whole picture, not just the mechanics.
Take the next step toward feeling steady again
If you’re experiencing dizziness that seems to come and go, especially with movement, vestibular physiotherapy in Perth could be an important next step.
At Integrity Physio Como, we take a careful, thorough approach to understand what’s behind your symptoms. From there, we tailor your treatment to suit your needs, goals, and how you live day to day.
Book an appointment today and let’s work together to help you feel more balanced and confident in your movement.
