If you’ve ever stood up and felt like the room was spinning, you’re not alone. Vertigo is more than just feeling a little off-balance. It can interfere with your ability to drive, work, stand, or even turn your head without discomfort or fear of falling. Recurring vertigo can be frustrating, even frightening, but there’s help. Physical therapy for vertigo is a proven path to relief and long-term stability.
6 Ways Vertigo Can Get In The Way
- Sudden Spinning Sensations: You could be standing in line, reaching for something on a shelf, or just rolling over in bed – and bam, the world starts spinning. It’s disorienting, unpredictable, and hard to hide in public.
- Nausea Or Vomiting: When the dizziness is severe, it often brings nausea along for the ride. That can make it impossible to focus, eat, or even leave the house.
- Trouble Standing Or Walking: Vertigo throws off your balance, making simple movements feel risky. You might feel unsteady while walking, need support to get around, or even fear falling.
- Having To Cancel Plans: Whether it’s work, a social event, or just grocery shopping, vertigo can force you to cancel last-minute – especially when symptoms hit hard or come out of nowhere.
- Difficulty Driving: If vertigo strikes while you’re behind the wheel or even just turning your head quickly, driving becomes dangerous. This often means relying on others for transportation or staying home altogether.
- Mental Fatigue & Brain Fog: Constant dizziness wears on your focus and energy. Many people with vertigo report feeling mentally “off,” emotionally drained, or unable to concentrate.
What Is Vertigo & Why Does It Happen?
Vertigo is often described as a false sense of movement, like spinning, tilting, or swaying – even when you’re still. It may come on suddenly or gradually and is frequently accompanied by nausea, lightheadedness, imbalance, or blurred vision. According to the National Institute of Health, dizziness (including vertigo) affects about 15% to over 20% of adults yearly.
Recognizing The Symptoms Of Vertigo
According to The American Institute of Balance, dizziness is the second most common complaint heard in doctors’ offices. Vertigo isn’t just “feeling dizzy,” though. It often comes with a variety of symptoms that can disrupt your day-to-day life. Common signs include a spinning or tilting sensation, nausea, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, blurred vision, or the feeling that you might fall when standing or walking.
Some people experience these symptoms only when they move their head a certain way, while others feel off-balance constantly. If these sensations are affecting your mobility or confidence, physical therapy for vertigo can help you get back to feeling like yourself.
Common Causes Of Vertigo
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, most cases of vertigo stem from inner ear problems. The vestibular system, your body’s built-in balance center, sends faulty signals to your brain. This miscommunication makes you feel dizzy or disoriented.
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
- Vestibular Neuritis Or Labyrinthitis
- Meniere’s Disease
- Vestibular Migraines
- Age-related Changes In Balance Function
- Head Trauma Or Concussion
If you’re unsure what’s causing your vertigo, a vestibular PT can help identify the root cause and recommend the right course of action.
How Physical Therapy Helps With Vertigo
Through a highly specialized approach called vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), physical therapists help retrain your brain and inner ear to communicate more effectively. Vertigo physical therapy uses a variety of tools to get you back on your feet – safely and confidently.
- Reduce Dizziness & Improve Stability
- Enhance Gaze Control & Head Movement Tolerance
- Build Balance & Confidence For Daily Tasks
- Prevent Future Episodes Of Vertigo
What To Expect In A Vestibular PT Session
Your care starts with a comprehensive evaluation. Based on your symptoms, your therapist may check your balance, eye and head movement, and how certain positions affect your dizziness. From there, we create a customized exercise plan. We also track your progress over time and adjust your therapy as your symptoms improve.
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises
- Habituation Techniques To Reduce Motion Sensitivity
- Balance Training To Prevent Falls
- At-home Routines To Accelerate Progress Between Visits
Does PT Work For Chronic Vertigo?
Yes. Chronic dizziness and vertigo often respond well to a structured vestibular therapy program—even if you’ve struggled for months or years.
When Should You See A Physical Therapist For Dizziness?
If you’re asking whether your symptoms are serious enough to need help, they probably are. While minor dizziness may improve on its own, delaying treatment can prolong recovery. Trying at-home exercises without proper guidance can also make symptoms worse if the underlying cause isn’t correctly identified.
With guided PT, many people start to see results within 1–3 visits and enjoy lasting relief in just a few weeks.
Signs It’s Time To Seek Vestibular Therapy
- Vertigo That Lasts Longer Than A Few Days
- Dizziness That Interferes With Walking, Driving, Or Working
- Frequent Falls Or Fear Of Falling
- Symptoms Triggered By Head Or Body Position Changes
- Ongoing Imbalance Or Unsteadiness After An Illness Or Injury
Find Lasting Relief With Vertigo Physical Therapy In Spokane Valley
Living with vertigo is exhausting, but you don’t have to live with it forever. At Centennial Sports & Physical Therapy, our experienced team specializes in dizziness treatment, vestibular rehab, and balance therapy that’s personalized to your needs. Don’t wait to feel better. Contact our Spokane Valley clinic today and discover how physical therapy can help you get back to your life, steady, strong, and symptom-free.
