Understanding BPPV (Vertigo) and How Physical Therapy Can Help
~ BY MATTHEW COELHO, DPT ~
If you’ve ever felt the room suddenly start spinning when you roll over in bed, look up, or bend forward, you may have experienced Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This common inner ear condition can be unsettling, but the good news is, it’s very treatable. At Atlantic Physical Therapy, we help many people overcome BPPV and get back to feeling steady and confident.
What is BPPV?
BPPV happens when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear (called otoconia) become dislodged and move into the wrong part of the balance canals. When this happens, certain head positions trigger sudden spinning dizziness, or vertigo.
Common symptoms include:
- Sudden spinning sensations (vertigo) when rolling in bed, lying down, or looking up
- Imbalance or unsteadiness
- Nausea associated with dizziness
The episodes are usually brief, lasting seconds to a minute, but they can make daily activities difficult and even increase the risk of falls.
How Physical Therapy Treats BPPV
The good news: BPPV can often be resolved quickly with specialized physical therapy maneuvers.
A physical therapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation can:
- Perform specific head and body movements (such as the Epley maneuver) to guide the crystals back into their proper place
- Teach you safe strategies to move during daily life while symptoms improve
- Provide education on what to expect during and after treatment
Many patients notice a dramatic improvement after just 1–2 sessions.
What If Symptoms Linger?
In some cases, people continue to feel a little “off-balance” or dizzy even after the spinning vertigo stops. This is where vestibular rehabilitation comes in.
Vestibular rehabilitation is a customized exercise program designed to:
- Improve balance and coordination
- Reduce dizziness and motion sensitivity
- Rebuild confidence with walking, bending, and turning
Exercises may include gaze stabilization (eye–head coordination), balance training, and gradual exposure to movements that trigger dizziness until your system adapts.
When to Seek Help
If you are experiencing sudden spinning dizziness, especially when changing positions, you don’t need to live with it. BPPV is very treatable, and physical therapy is one of the most effective solutions.
At Atlantic Physical Therapy, we offer vestibular rehabilitation programs to help you recover quickly, reduce your risk of falls, and restore your quality of life.
If you’ve been experiencing dizziness or vertigo, contact Atlantic Physical Therapy today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with one of our certified therapists .Our team can determine if BPPV is the cause and guide you through safe and effective treatment.
