If you’ve ever found yourself dizzy after standing up or felt like the room was spinning for no reason, you’ve probably never thought to ask yourself, “Should I see a physical therapist?” But, there is no better healthcare provider than a PT to help with your vertigo!

But before we dive in, let's back up for a minute.

Dizziness and vertigo can be caused by all sorts of things—your inner ear, your neck, even migraines. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate these conditions, especially when they persist beyond a passing phase. At least 40% of a PT’s caseload is people dealing with dizziness, neck pain, or balance issues.

But what’s causing my dizziness?

If you’ve been dealing with dizziness for a while, you’re probably tired of it disrupting your day-to-day life. Maybe you’ve been avoiding rolling over in bed because it feels like the room might spin out of control. Maybe even looking up too quickly makes you feel like you’ve been on a roller coaster ride. And, of course, there's the ever-fun "I feel like I'm walking on a boat" sensation.

So, let’s look at three common causes of dizziness and vertigo, and why a physical therapist is the go-to person to help you get steady again.

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)  

We’ll start with BPPV, or as I like to call it, “Crystals Gone Wild.” Yes, you read that right. We have tiny crystals in our inner ear that help us know where our head is in space. They’re not the sparkly kind you’d want to keep in a jewelry box, but they play an important role in keeping you balanced. 

Sometimes, these crystals get loose and end up floating into a part of the inner ear where they shouldn’t be. The result? Every time you move your head, the crystals send your brain mixed signals, and you feel dizzy even though you're not moving at all. It’s like trying to walk straight after spinning in circles—your body thinks it’s spinning, but it’s not.

What can a physical therapist do about it?

If BPPV is your problem, your PT will take you through a series of positions, aimed at guiding those rogue crystals back to where they belong. The most famous of these is called the Epley Maneuver. It's like a reset button for your balance system. Fun fact: many people feel significantly better after just one session! 

2. Cervicogenic Dizziness

Ever had neck pain and dizziness at the same time? Maybe after staring at a screen for too long or after sleeping in a weird position? That could be cervicogenic dizziness, which is just a fancy way of saying your neck is causing your balance issues. Your neck has a lot to do with your sense of balance—more than you might realize.

Let’s say your neck is stiff from bad posture or an old injury. It might send mixed signals to your brain, leading you to feel dizzy or off-balance. Have you ever felt lightheaded after a long Zoom call or had that “floating head” feeling? Yep, that’s probably your neck talking.

How do PTs fix this?

Physical therapists use a combination of manual therapy (think stretches and massage) and exercises to fix your neck alignment and improve your posture. You’ll also get strengthening exercises to support those neck muscles, so they don’t cause you trouble in the future.

3. Migraines and Dizziness (Vestibular Migraines)  

If you’re a migraine sufferer, you know they don’t just come with pain. Sometimes they bring their own entourage—nausea, sensitivity to light, and yes, dizziness. Vestibular migraines can feel like your brain is short-circuiting, throwing off your balance and making the room spin.

Unlike regular migraines, vestibular migraines are less about the throbbing head pain and more about vertigo and balance issues. You might feel dizzy before the headache even starts—or, lucky you, you might skip the headache part altogether and just get the dizziness.

What can a PT do about vestibular migraines? 

Treatment usually involves a mix of intense balance training and exercises to strengthen your neck musculature.. Your therapist will also focus on improving posture, since tension in your neck can make migraine-related dizziness worse. 

So, What Happens During a PT Session for Dizziness?

Your first visit to a physical therapist will start with an evaluation. They’ll ask you all sorts of questions about your dizziness:

• Does it happen when you move your head or just when you’re still?
• Is it better or worse at certain times of day?
• Do you have other symptoms, like nausea or headaches?

They’ll also do some hands-on tests to check your neck movement, eye tracking (to see if your eyes are playing a role), and balance. If they suspect BPPV, they’ll perform a head-turning test to see if it triggers your dizziness. Don’t worry, this is all part of the detective work.

Once they’ve figured out the cause, they’ll get to work. Your PT might guide you through exercises to retrain your brain and vestibular system to work together again. If your neck’s the issue, they’ll help restore normal movement and function.

Bottom line: they’ve got a plan, and it’s all about getting you feeling steady on your feet again.

Why Physical Therapy Works for Dizziness and Vertigo

Now, if you’re wondering why you should see a physical therapist instead of, say, waiting for the dizziness to go away on its own, here’s the deal: dizziness often doesn’t fix itself, and if it does, it can come back. The root cause—whether it’s loose crystals, a stiff neck, or something else—needs to be addressed for lasting relief.

PT isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about finding the root cause and fixing it. Sure, you can take a break and hope the room stops spinning, but wouldn’t it be better to get to the bottom of it once and for all?

Ready to Stop the Spin?

At ALTR Performance & Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping people like you get their balance back. Whether your dizziness comes from your neck, inner ear, or migraines, we’re here to help. 

Book your consultation today and take the first step toward feeling steady again. Because let’s be real—spinning rooms are only fun if you’re on a merry-go-round.