How to Relieve Dizziness and Vertigo
Lisa (not her real name) was tired of dealing with dizziness. Specifically, she was tired of dealing with vertigo, a spinning sensation that would suddenly hit her at seemingly random times throughout the day. The attacks made her wary of driving, and she worried she might fall and injure herself at home.
But then Lisa learned something interesting: physical therapy can help with vertigo and dizziness. She had some experience with PT, having gone through rehabilitation after a shoulder injury, but it never occurred to her that PT might be the solution to her issues with vertigo.
Eager for relief, Lisa made an appointment at Darien Physical Therapy. We conducted a comprehensive assessment and found that she had BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). It develops due to the buildup of tiny crystals in the inner ear, which interfere with the body’s vestibular system. We helped Lisa understand that her vertigo attacks weren’t as random as she thought. Instead, they occurred due to specific head movements that jostled the crystals. We helped identify those movements and performed some hands-on maneuvers that dislodged the crystals so they could no longer cause symptoms.
Why Do We Feel Dizziness and Vertigo?
Because vertigo (and sometimes even dizziness) has a vaguely hallucinatory quality, people are often surprised to discover that its origins are typically physical. Fortunately, because they’re physical, PT is an excellent choice for finding relief.
First, it’s important to understand that dizziness and vertigo are technically two different things.
Dizziness is an umbrella term that can refer to any feelings of lightheadedness or wooziness. Most of us have experienced dizziness: maybe you stood up too quickly or felt a headrush when you got off a roller coaster. It can have other causes, too, such as medication side effects or low blood sugar.
Vertigo is a type of dizziness. It refers to a particular sensation: that you or the room is spinning around even when you’re standing still. It typically stems from issues with your vestibular system, which controls your body’s sense of balance.
The vestibular system is primarily located in your inner ear, although parts are also in your cerebellum. Most people who experience vertigo have inner ear issues, whether BPPV (the most common cause of vertigo) or another underlying condition, such as Meniere’s disease. In some cases, vertigo might stem from issues in your cerebellum, although those are rare.
Exercise of the Month
One Leg Balance
(Ankles, Core, Balance)
Single-leg balance is essential for improving stability and walking (gait), as we briefly stand on one leg with every step. Strengthening this position can help reduce fall risk and improve confidence with movement. Stand with your hands on the back of a chair, countertop, or wall for support. Slowly lift one foot so your weight is on the opposite leg. Keep your posture tall and steady. Hold for 20–30 seconds and gradually increase time as your balance improves. 2 Sets, 1 Rep (each side). Materials needed: chair.
The Key Factor: A Personalized Approach
Physical therapy offers different options to help people manage their dizziness and vertigo. We always begin treatment with a comprehensive assessment to help us understand the root cause of your symptoms.
As with Lisa, we’ll also try pinpointing any triggers for dizziness or vertigo. By identifying these triggers, you can work to avoid them. For example, we can show you how to modify activities to reduce the likelihood of vertigo attacks. We’ll also perform specific movements and positions to restore inner ear function, just as we did with Lisa.
Another way we help people with dizziness and vertigo is through dedicated balance training. Vertigo can be unnerving, but it’s not usually dangerous in and of itself. Instead, the danger comes from an increased fall risk. Balance training helps improve your overall balance and stability through progressive balance challenges and strengthening exercises, especially in the core.
A Specialized Approach: Vestibular Rehabilitation
If your vertigo stems from an impairment in your vestibular system, we may suggest you begin a vestibular rehabilitation program. Vestibular rehab is a specialized type of physical therapy that focuses specifically on inner ear dysfunction. While your exact program will be personalized, it generally includes the following:
- Relaxation techniques to help you navigate a vertigo attack
- Habituation exercises that help you become accustomed to the vertigo sensations so that they lessen over time
- Vision exercises to improve your gaze stability, which often plays a role in vertigo symptoms
We’ll combine these specialized techniques with balance and conditioning exercises to ensure well-rounded treatment!
Can The World Stop Spinning?
Literally, no—but when you successfully manage dizziness and vertigo, it can certainly feel like it! Call Darien Physical Therapy today to find out if you might benefit from physical therapy.
Fueling Recovery: Supporting Mental Health Through Nutrition
By Christine Updegraff, MS, Bellwether Wellness
When you’re recovering from an injury, the focus is usually on the physical—mobility, strength, pain reduction, and getting back to daily life. But recovery is not just a physical process. It is also neurological and emotional.
Many patients are surprised to find that injury recovery can affect mood just as much as it affects the body. Reduced activity, disrupted routines, pain, and even poor sleep can all contribute to feeling more fatigued, irritable, or discouraged. At the same time, your body is working overtime behind the scenes to repair tissue and restore function.
This is where nutrition becomes a powerful—but often overlooked—tool. The same biological systems that drive tissue repair also influence brain chemistry. When your body has what it needs to heal, it is better equipped to support stable energy, clearer thinking, and a more resilient outlook. When it does not, recovery can feel harder than it needs to.
From a clinical perspective, the goal is not perfection. It is consistency. Small, strategic choices made daily can meaningfully support both physical healing and mental well-being.
A few foundational strategies make the biggest difference:
- Prioritize protein at each meal to support tissue repair and neurotransmitter production
- Balance meals with protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbohydrates to stabilize blood sugar and mood
- Include anti-inflammatory fats, especially omega-3s from foods like salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds
- Eat enough overall, even if your activity level is reduced—healing increases your body’s energy needs
- Stay well hydrated to support circulation, energy, and cognitive function
- Incorporate a variety of whole foods to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals involved in recovery and brain health
These strategies are not complicated, but they are impactful. They help create a physiological environment where healing can occur more efficiently—and where you feel better while it’s happening.
The bottom line is this: how you nourish your body during recovery directly influences how you experience that recovery.
When nutrition is aligned with healing, patients often notice not only improved physical progress, but also better energy, more stable mood, and a greater sense of control in the process. And that can make all the difference.
Stop by the front desk, call 203-309-0045, or visit www.bellwetherwellness.com to book an appointment.
Vertigo & Dizziness: Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know about dizziness and vertigo? Take this quick quiz to find out!
Healthy Recipe: Ginger Salmon Rice Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
- 1 cup quinoa, cooked
- 1 cup broccoli, cooked
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 cup edamame, shelled
- 1 avocado, sliced
Instructions
Mix ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Marinate salmon for 15 minutes. Pan-sear or bake at 400°F for 12–14 minutes. Assemble bowls with quinoa, salmon, broccoli, edamame, and avocado. Drizzle with remaining marinade and serve.
Take Responsibility for Your Pain & Get the Help You Need Today!
Stop letting pain get in the way. Our dedicated team at Darien Physical Therapy is here to help you find lasting relief from dizziness and vertigo through personalized physical therapy.
455 Post Rd., Darien, CT 06820 | P: (203) 655-6464 | Monday – Friday | 7:00AM – 7:00PM
Sources
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Vestibular_Treatment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482356/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954334/
