Dizziness

Are you suffering with dizziness?

A research study found 1 in 3 people aged 40 years and 85% of people aged 80 years and over are suffering from vestibular balance problems, so you’re not alone.

Unfortunately research in the UK found that patients had to wait nearly two years (on average 90+ weeks, range – 14 to 202 weeks) for the diagnosis and treatment of their BPPV.

This can and does lead to over 80% of people with vestibular disorders experiencing significant impacts on their daily activities causing distress and time off work.

If you delay seeking a diagnosis and treatment of BPPV and other causes of dizziness it is likely to have negative impacts on both your life and of your family and friends. BPPV patients are unnecessarily tested with CT and MRI and treated with vestibular medications, which are not indicated and can lead to suppressing central compensation of the balance process and masking symptoms, also causing cognitive dysfunction.

Dizziness/vertigo is not a condition it is merely a symptom of an underlying condition.

The causes of dizziness/vertigo can range from trivial causes such as feeling dizzy when we stand up quickly after sitting for a while to life-threatening conditions such as stroke and brain tumour.

Fortunately, the most commonly occurring dizziness are due to benign conditions such as BPPV, Vestibular migraine, age-related multi-sensory balance issues and PPPD.

Man experiencing a dizzy spell

Balance control is a complex mechanism achieved by interactions between peripheral (sensory) and central (brain) structures.

Peripherally, vision, proprioception and vestibular (Inner ear) systems contribute to balance control. Centrally, structures within the brainstem, cerebellum and several other brain areas are involved in processing the balance signals.

The multi-sensory balance signals help achieve balance control out puts such as spatial orientation, gaze stability and postural stability. The vestibular system is exclusively responsible for sensing static position and dynamic movements of the head.

Why use Vestibular Physiotherapy for dizziness?

Vestibular physiotherapy is extremely effective to diagnose and safely treat all types of BPPV and dizziness.

Vestibular physiotherapy is safe and effective to treat vestibular hypofunction (labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis etc.)

Examples of conditions treated:

  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo BPPV- Posterior canal- Canalithiasis
  • BPPV- Posterior canal- Cupulolithiasis
  • BPPV- Lateral canal
  • BPPV- Anterior canal
  • Vestibular Hypofunction
  • Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction
  • Persistent postural perceptual dizziness – PPPD
  • Poor sensory integration
  • Vestibular migraine
  • Risk of falls

Get an assessment

When it comes to the treatment of vestibular disorders “One-Size-Fits-All” will not work as each conditions will require specific treatments. Your treatment will be customised and patient-centred.

Vestibular physiotherapy with The Twyford Clinic will reduce dizziness, improve balance, reduce the risk of falling and improve your balance confidence and activities of daily living.

For a full assessment call 01962 714979 today

Phillip Wilson
Consultant Physiotherapist