There are many causes of vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV, can be one of the reasons you are experiencing that awful spinning sensation. Of course, there could be several things going on.

Sometimes it’s related to your neck (Cervicogenic), inner ear problems (Vestibular), nervous system issues (Central), or even cardiovascular concerns like blood pressure or heart conditions.

But let’s talk about BPPV for a moment – it’s this condition that makes you feel like everything around you is spinning or moving, even when you’re sitting perfectly still. Many people tough it out and ignore it, but when that spinning feeling really kicks in, it can be absolutely horrible. You just want this spinning to stop, and it makes perfect sense to feel that way.

The name, BPPV, is quite scary, but the good news is- it’s one of the most straightforward types of vertigo to address.

What is BPPV?

BPPV is behind a lot of those episodes that happen with you, like when you get really dizzy and feel like the whole room is just spinning.

Here’s the deal with what’s going on in your ear: Deep inside our ear are 3 semicircular canals, which coordinate with our eyes and nervous system to maintain balance. There are these super tiny crystals – they’re made of calcium – that live in your inner ear. Normally, they just hang out in one particular spot where they’re supposed to be. The doctors call them otoconia, but honestly, you can just think of them as tiny ear crystals.

Now, sometimes – and this can happen for all sorts of reasons – these little crystals get knocked loose. They start moving around to the parts of your ear where they should not. And this movement confuses your brain about which way is up and which way is down.

Resulting in all the things you feel- dizzy, shaky on your feet, or like everything around you is spinning. It’s usually worse when you turn your head certain ways, too.

How Do You Know It’s BPPV?

Here’s what a lot of people with BPPV notice:

• Quick bursts of dizziness or spinning, especially when you move your head a certain way
• Feeling a bit queasy or just “off”
• Finding it difficult to keep your balance or focus your eyes

Feel relatable? Keep reading.

Why Does BPPV Happen, anyway?

Honestly, sometimes it’s a mystery. But there are a few usual suspects:

• Getting older (yep, the inner ear changes as we age)
• Taking a knock to the head
• And sometimes, it just happens out of the blue—life’s funny that way

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Here’s the good news: BPPV is super treatable. And physiotherapy? It’s one of the best ways to get you back on your feet. At Procure Physio, we don’t just throw a “one-size-fits-all” fix at you. We actually listen, figure out what’s going on, and tailor a plan that fits your life.

What Happens at Your First Visit?

The first visit is mainly about listening to what you’ve been feeling. We will understand what kind of spinning sensation you feel. Which head movements trigger it, like while looking up or rolling over in bed? How long do those episodes continue for? We’ll ask about your health history (like head trauma or migraine, ear disease, family history or any other medical treatment taken in past), sure, but mostly we want to hear your story.

Then we discuss the multiple tests and treatments to assess and treat the issue originating from each canal. There are different tests for different canals. The most commonly discussed test is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver to see if BPPV is the culprit.

The Epley Maneuver: Not as Scary as It Sounds

If you do have BPPV, there’s this most common treatment called the Epley maneuver (or, more generally, a Canalith Repositioning Maneuver). It’s basically a series of gentle head and body movements. Sounds simple, but it’s kind of magical—these moves help those rogue crystals find their way back to where they belong. Most folks feel a whole lot better after just a session or two. Not bad, right?

And sometimes, we’ll add in:

• Vestibular rehab exercises—think of these as balance workouts for your brain and body
• At-home routines—easy things you can do on your own to keep the progress going and stop vertigo from crashing your party again

We’re Big on Education, Too

There’s something really powerful about finally having answers and understanding what your body is actually doing. When you can put a name to what you’re experiencing and understand the “why” behind it, you get back some sense of control. So, we’ll chat about:

• How to steer clear of common vertigo triggers
• The safest ways to move and sleep (because nobody wants a dizzy spell at 3 a.m.)
• What to do if those symptoms pop up again

What’s It Like at Procure Physio in Blacktown?

Treating Vertigo at Procure Physio involves a detailed assessment and precise treatment of the canal of origin

• Deep dive into understanding what’s causing your vertigo. Conduct common tests like the Dr Dix-Hallpike maneuver.
• Educating yourself with what’s going on and what you can do about it
• Receive the most common treatments—like the Epley maneuver—right there in the clinic
• Get a plan for exercises and lifestyle tweaks to keep you steady

Our whole mission? Get you free from this feeling of dizziness and get you back to doing your regular things.

Questions People Ask All the Time

1. How long does it take to feel better?
   It really depends on the person and what they’re working through. But people usually feel different after just one or two sessions of physiotherapy. Surprising, right?

• Can BPPV come back?
  It can, but once you are aware of what to do, even if it comes back, it becomes easier to handle.

• Is it safe to try exercises at home?
  Honest suggestion: start with a professional. Once you understand and practice the right way of doing moves, at-home exercises are a great way to keep things on track.

Ready to Get Your Balance Back?

If dizziness or vertigo is bothering you and messing with your life, don’t overlook it. Give us a call at Procure Physio. We’re here to help you get steady on your feet—and back to living life on your terms.