Physiotherapy for Vertigo: Causes, Treatment, and Fast Relief

If you feel like the room is spinning, you lose balance easily, or sudden head movements trigger dizziness, you may be experiencing vertigo. Vertigo can interfere with daily life, work, driving, and even simple movements like getting out of bed.

The good news is that many cases of vertigo can be treated quickly and effectively with physiotherapy, especially when the cause is related to the inner ear.

At Hope 2 Health Physiotherapy Clinic in London, Ontario, we offer specialized vestibular physiotherapy to help patients regain balance, reduce dizziness, and return to normal activities.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning, tilting, or movement when you are actually still. It is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying issue, most commonly involving the inner ear or balance system.

Common symptoms of vertigo

• Spinning sensation
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Difficulty focusing the eyes
• Unsteadiness while walking
• Symptoms triggered by head movement

Common Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo can result from several conditions, but the most common cause treated by physiotherapists is:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear move out of place. This disrupts balance signals to the brain.

Symptoms of BPPV:

• Brief spinning episodes
• Triggered by:
  • Rolling in bed
  • Looking up or down
  • Sudden head turns

BPPV is one of the most common and most treatable causes of vertigo.

2. Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis

These conditions involve inflammation of the inner ear or balance nerve, often due to viral infections.

Symptoms may include:

• Sudden severe dizziness
• Nausea
• Difficulty walking
• Balance problems lasting days or weeks

3. Post-Concussion or Neck-Related Dizziness

After a concussion or neck injury, patients may experience:

• Persistent dizziness
• Visual disturbances
• Balance problems

Physiotherapy can help address these symptoms.

How Physiotherapy Helps Treat Vertigo

Vestibular physiotherapy focuses on the inner ear and balance system. A trained physiotherapist performs specific tests to determine the cause of your dizziness.

Step 1: Assessment

Your physiotherapist will:

• Review your medical history
• Ask about your symptoms and triggers
• Test eye movements and balance
• Perform positional tests for BPPV

Step 2: Targeted Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of vertigo.

BPPV Treatment: Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers

If you have BPPV, your physiotherapist will perform specific maneuvers such as:

• Epley maneuver
• Semont maneuver
• BBQ roll

These movements reposition the inner ear crystals.

In many cases, vertigo improves within 1–3 sessions.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises

For other causes of vertigo, your physiotherapist may prescribe exercises to:

• Improve balance
• Reduce dizziness
• Retrain the brain to process movement
• Improve visual focus during head movements

These may include:

• Gaze stabilization exercises
• Balance training
• Habituation exercises
• Walking and coordination drills

How Long Does Vertigo Treatment Take?

Recovery time depends on the cause:

Condition	Typical Recovery Time
BPPV	1–3 sessions
Vestibular neuritis	4–8 weeks
Post-concussion dizziness	4–12 weeks
Chronic dizziness	Varies by condition

Early treatment usually leads to faster recovery.

When Should You See a Physiotherapist for Vertigo?

You should seek physiotherapy if you experience:

• Spinning sensations with head movement
• Dizziness lasting more than a few days
• Balance problems or frequent falls
• Vertigo after a concussion
• Recurring episodes of dizziness

Benefits of Physiotherapy for Vertigo

• Drug-free treatment
• Fast relief for BPPV
• Improved balance and confidence
• Reduced fall risk
• Personalized treatment plan
• Long-term symptom control

Vertigo Treatment in London, Ontario

At Hope 2 Health Physiotherapy Clinic, we provide specialized care for:

• BPPV
• Vestibular disorders
• Concussion-related dizziness
• Balance problems
• Neck-related dizziness

Our experienced physiotherapists use evidence-based vestibular rehabilitation techniques to help you recover safely and quickly.

👉 Learn more about Concussion and Vestibular Rehab