Vertigo and Balance Disorders
Mobile Vertigo and Balance Physical Therapy in Scottsdale
We come to you in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa.
The vestibular system is a sensory system in your inner ear that controls balance and helps you sense where your body is in space. It has two main parts:
Semicircular canals: detect rotation, like turning your head or spinning in a chair- Otoliths: detect straight-line movement and head tilt, like the feeling of an elevator starting or stopping
How the Vestibular System Works
Your vestibular system works closely with your vision and with the sensors in your muscles and joints. Together, these three systems work like the legs of a stool. If one isn't working well, the other two have to work harder to keep you balanced. Your brain combines information from all three to control your posture and keep you steady.
BPPV: The Most Common Cause of Vertigo
Each inner ear contains three semicircular canals filled with fluid. Normally, these canals are free of particles. In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), tiny calcium crystals break loose from the otoliths and drift into one of the canals. When you move your head in certain ways, like rolling over or sitting up in bed, looking up, bending down, or turning your head quickly, the crystals shift and cause a brief spinning sensation.
BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, and it often improves quickly with specific head-positioning treatments performed by a physical therapist.
Common Causes of Vertigo and Balance Disorders
Vertigo and balance problems can be peripheral or central. Peripheral causes involve the inner ear or the nerve that connects it to the brain, and they are far more common. Central causes involve the brain or brainstem.
Know the warning signs of a stroke. If dizziness comes on suddenly along with any of these signs, remember BE FAST and call 911 right away:
- B (Balance): sudden loss of balance or coordination
- E (Eyes): sudden vision loss or double vision
- F (Face): drooping on one side of the face
- A (Arms): weakness or numbness in one arm or leg
- S (Speech): slurred or confused speech
- T (Time): call 911 immediately and note the time symptoms started, even if they go away
A sudden, severe headache can also be a warning sign.
Common causes include:
- BPPV (loose inner ear crystals)
- Vestibular neuritis
- Concussion
- Whiplash or neck injuries
- Meniere’s disease
- Vestibular migraine
- Mal de débarquement syndrome
- Stroke or TIA
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Common symptoms include:
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Lightheadedness
- Feeling off-balance
- Nausea
- Blurry vision with head movement
- Unsteady walking
- Falls or near-falls
How Physical Therapy Helps You
Dizziness can make you avoid the movements that trigger it, like lying flat or turning your head quickly. Over time, that avoidance can make balance worse. The good news is that most people with vertigo and balance problems improve with the right treatment.
Your physical therapist will evaluate you to find the cause of your symptoms. Depending on what's driving them, treatment may include head-positioning maneuvers for BPPV, exercises that retrain your balance system, gaze stabilization exercises, and balance training to lower your risk of falls. As a mobile practice, we come to you, so we can work on balance in the same home where you move every day.
We also help athletes recover from concussions and head impacts, including combat sports athletes, so you can return to training with confidence.
Don't let dizziness or a fear of falling limit the activities you love. Contact us for a free phone consultation and to schedule your initial appointment.
Call NowFrequently Asked Questions
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. It includes the semicircular canals, which detect rotational movement, and the otoliths, which sense linear acceleration such as moving in an elevator.
The most common cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which happens when tiny crystals in the inner ear break loose and drift into the semicircular canals. Vertigo can also come from inner ear inflammation, concussion, whiplash, vestibular migraine, or, less often, conditions affecting the brain.
Central vertigo is caused by problems in the brain or brainstem, while peripheral vertigo comes from the inner ear or its nerve. Peripheral vertigo is far more common and is often linked to BPPV, vestibular neuritis, or Meniere’s disease.
Common symptoms include dizziness, nausea, difficulty sitting or standing upright, unsteady walking, and frequent falls. These may be triggered or worsened by certain head movements or positional changes.
A physical therapist can evaluate your symptoms to identify the cause and design a treatment plan. Therapy often includes specific exercises to retrain your balance system, reduce dizziness, and help you return to daily activities with confidence.
Call 911 if dizziness comes on suddenly with any stroke warning signs. Remember BE FAST: loss of balance, eye or vision changes, facial drooping, arm or leg weakness, slurred speech, and time to call 911 and note when symptoms started. Dizziness after a head injury that keeps getting worse also needs prompt medical attention.
Ready to Move Better and Perform at a Higher Level?
Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, reach out and we'll get back to you promptly. You can also call or text us directly to speak with Dr. Phil Yoon.