What Does a Physio have to do with Dizziness?
It is true that Physios plays a huge role in diagnosing and managing different forms of dizziness or vertigo. When I was a student, it definitely surprised me. Feeling like the room is spinning (vertigo), light headedness or feeling ‘cloudy’, can often stem from structures in our inner ear or neck. Causes may include traumatic injury, postillness or general health risk factors [1-3] . Physio’s also screen for pathologies we cannot treat, and refer you to the appropriate medical professional when necessary. We will focus on one of the main causes of dizziness in this post. Other causes, such as cervicogenic dizziness, can be managed with education, manual therapy, and progressive movement [1].
BPPV
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common reason a dizzy client will see a doctor or a physio. Accounting for around 17% of all dizziness symptoms [2], symptoms often occur suddenly and involve an intense and debilitating feeling of the room spinning. This can change with time, becoming short episodes of vertigo when you move your head in certain directions [2-3]. It is caused by an acute disruption of your ‘vestibular system’ (reference). This structure helps with our balance and movement perception. Small rocks (otoconia) become stuck inside the different pathways until appropriate intervention is performed [2].
Management of BPPV
In the healthcare world, there are very few true ‘quick fixes’. However, BPPV is often an exception to that! Most people suffering from BPPV will have full resolution of their symptoms within 1-2 sessions [2-4]. Treatment involves specific maneuvers, to help clear those otoconia from the canals. This removes the abnormal stimulus, and symptoms resolve. This can vary between individuals, and the brain often requires a short period of time to adjust. BPPV can also reoccur years after the initial episode [2]. If you have any questions about vertigo or dizziness, please feel free to contact us at the clinic.
References:
1- Devaraja, K. (2018). Approach to cervicogenic dizziness: a comprehensive review of its aetiopathology and management. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 275, 2421–2433 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-018-5088-z
2- Yetiser S (2019), Review of the pathology underlying benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Sage Journals. 48,4. DOI: 10.1177/030006051989237.
3- Chua KWD, Gans RE, Spinks S1 (2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics of BPPV patients: a retrospective large cohort study of 1599 patients. Journal of Otolaryngology-ENT Research. 12,(1). Accessed at:Demographic and clinical characteristics of BPPV patients: a retrospective large cohort study of 1599 patients.
4- Gaur S, Awasthi SK, Bhadouriya SK, Saxena R, Pathak VK, Bisht M.(2015). Efficacy of Epley's Maneuver in Treating BPPV Patients: A Prospective Observational Study. Int J Otolaryngol.487160. doi: 10.1155/2015/487160.