Dizzy? Physio could be your simple solution

If you’ve ever experienced dizziness, you know how awful it can be. It can have an impact on everything you do and become very distressing, frustrating and limiting.

There can be many reasons why you might experience dizziness and nausea. Some of these may be medical and need medication, specialist tests and interventions.

However, there is a particularly common cause of dizziness that is very easily treated with physiotherapy.

That condition is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV for short.

What is BPPV?

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (referred to as BPPV for the rest of this article) is a condition related to the inner ear.  

The ear has small organs that can sense the movement of crystals within them.  This gives you the ability to sense your heads position related to gravity. Connected to these organs are small canals which are lined with fine hair-like sensors that feel for movement of fluid within the canal.  This allows us to monitor the rotation or twisting of our head.  

BPPV occurs when the crystals contained within the organs become dislodged and make their way into the canals.  This makes the canals sensitive to movements that would they would not normally be sensitive to.

This can result in the following symptoms:

  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo (feeling like the room is spinning)
  • A loss of balance and unsteadiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

How do I know if I have BPPV?

The following are some of the general pattern of the above symptoms that you might expect with BPPV:

  • Brought on by a change in position of your head
  • Can take up to 20 seconds to start after movement of head
  • Last up to 1 minute at a time before settling
  • Possible issues with balance when walking or standing

If you have any of the following symptoms then it is unlikely that you have BPPV and go should see your GP for further investigation:

  • Severe Headache
  • Hearing loss
  • Slurred Speech
  • Weakness of your arms of legs.
  • Loss of vision or double vision.
  • Fever
  • Pins and needles or numbness
  • Loss of consciousness

How can physiotherapy help BPPV?

Our physiotherapists at goPhysio are able to treat BPPV using a specialist technique called the Epley manoeuvre.

Before carrying out the procedure, on of our physiotherapists will carry out a test called the Dix-Hallpike Manoeuvre.  This is used to distinguish if your dizziness is caused by BPPV and if so, which ear is affected.  (BPPV tends to affect one ear rather than both).

The test is a simple movement where you move from a seated position on the plinth to laying on your back whilst your therapist will support and guide your head to one side.  The therapist will look to see if your symptoms are reproduced as well as looking out to see if your eyes begin to flicker (nystagmus).  This would indicate BPPV as the likely cause of your symptoms. If it is found to be the cause of your symptoms, then we can use a simple treatment technique called The Epley Manoeuvre.

What is the Epley manoeuvre?

The Epley manoeuvre is a series of movements of your head, guided by the therapist.  The result of the Dix-Hallpike Manoeuvre determines which ear the Epley Manoeuvre is aimed at treating.  Each position is performed laying or sitting on the treatment couch.  These positions are then held for 30 seconds or until your symptoms settle, before moving onto the next.  The Epley Manoeuvre generally takes less than 5 minutes to perform once started and is fully guided by the physiotherapist.  

The precise series of movements of your head utilise gravity and the shape of the canals to move the crystals.  With each movement the crystals move along to the next part of the canal until they move back into the organs that they are normally contained within.

How many sessions of physio will I need?

We have seen some fantastic results of patients report their symptoms have fully settled after one session.  However it can take up to 3 session for symptoms to fully resolve as some crystals may not make back to the organs within the first couple of attempts.

If you think you might have BPPV and you would like to speak to one of our physiotherapists, or if you have any other question then please call into the clinic on 023 8025 3317.

Click here to find out about our dizzy clinic! 

Reviews

What They Say​

Antonia Perez
Antonia Perez
2023-11-25
We got an appointment promptly, the appointment went smoothly. Very nice physios. 👌
Fran Helen
Fran Helen
2023-11-06
Really knowledgeable and supportive, with clear advice to help. I feel so reassured after this appointment, highly recommended, they really listened to me. Thank you.
Brenda Hinnell
Brenda Hinnell
2023-10-27
First visit and in urgent need of physio as really suffering from not being able to run. Lottie was very patient and understanding with a lovely manner. She worked wonders and I am looking forward to my next visit.
James Grierson
James Grierson
2023-10-21
Great first appointment, really listened to my problems annd thorough anssessment and have come up with a clear rehab plan to get me back on track.
Nuisha Russo
Nuisha Russo
2023-10-21
I had a really good visit to GoPhysio. I have had sciatica for two months and it wasn't showing any signs of improvement. Sophie gave me a thorough assessment and then provided acupuncture and ultra sound. After one visit my sciatica has almost gone. I am really pleased.
kay luffman
kay luffman
2023-10-08
Everyone at go physio is so helpful & friendly. I have been receiving treatment for golfers elbow from Hannah Gelder, and couldn’t be happier, I wish I had gone earlier! She explains everything well, and guides you through exercises etc. very amiable and makes you feel at ease. Highly recommend
Chris Kitchen
Chris Kitchen
2023-10-07
They are a great friendly team who always manage to sort my sports injuries out. Can recommend them highly
Mark Dewey
Mark Dewey
2023-10-05
Go Physio definitely the place to go, came away feeling better and reassured and with a plan going forward.
Christine Raw
Christine Raw
2023-10-05
Very professional service and excellent treatment. Listened and gave good advice.
Kay Horton
Kay Horton
2023-10-05
I have been attending goPhysio for about two years. As a company they are very professional and provide a very good level of service to include efficiency and courtesy and are always consistent in their approach. This very much includes the admin /reception team whom are the first people you make contact with. My Physio has excellent knowledge and has assisted me with sound advice and ongoing exercise regimes which are achievable and realistic. This has supported me well in between appointments. Although always busy I am normally able to see Roz at a mutually convenient time. Thank you to all the team