Understanding Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or a feeling that the world around you is moving, even when you are still. Vertigo can often make a person feel off-balance and may be accompanied by symptoms like nausea or vomiting. It typically arises from issues within the inner ear or parts of the brain that manage balance.
Common forms of vertigo that often respond to exercise include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), where tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged. Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis, which involve inflammation or infection of the inner ear or its nerve, can also cause vertigo. These conditions disrupt the signals sent to the brain, affecting a person’s sense of spatial orientation and balance.
How Exercise Helps Vertigo
Exercise helps manage vertigo primarily through a specialized approach called Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT). This therapy works by encouraging the brain to adapt and compensate for inner ear dysfunction. The underlying principle of VRT is rooted in the brain’s ability to reorganize itself, a concept known as neuroplasticity.
VRT incorporates several types of exercises to achieve its goals. Habituation exercises involve repeated exposure to movements or visual stimuli that typically provoke dizziness, gradually reducing the brain’s sensitivity to these triggers. Gaze stabilization exercises improve eye movement control during head movements, helping to maintain clear vision and reduce blurriness. Balance training focuses on improving overall stability and coordination, which helps decrease the risk of falls.
Specific Exercises for Vertigo Relief
Gaze stabilization exercises aim to keep vision clear while the head is moving. One method involves focusing on a fixed point while slowly turning the head side-to-side or up-and-down. The goal is to keep the eyes fixed on the target, gradually increasing head movement speed as tolerance improves.
Habituation exercises involve movements that might initially provoke mild dizziness but help the brain learn to ignore the faulty signals over time. Examples include bending the head back, turning it side to side, or moving it up and down. These exercises can be started slowly with eyes open, progressing to faster movements or eyes closed as symptoms decrease.
Balance training exercises are designed to improve overall stability and reduce unsteadiness. These range from simple activities like standing with feet together (Romberg stance) to more challenging ones like standing heel-to-toe (tandem stance) or on one leg. As balance improves, exercises can be made more challenging by closing the eyes or performing them on an uneven surface. It is important to begin these exercises cautiously and ensure a safe environment to prevent falls.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
Consulting a healthcare professional is important before starting any exercise program for vertigo. A doctor or a physical therapist specializing in vestibular rehabilitation can properly diagnose the cause of vertigo, as various underlying conditions can lead to these symptoms. Some forms of vertigo may require specific medical interventions beyond exercise.
A trained professional can assess individual needs and create a tailored exercise plan, ensuring the exercises are appropriate and safe. They can also monitor progress and adjust the program as needed. Prompt medical attention is advised if vertigo is accompanied by severe symptoms such as a sudden, severe headache, vision changes, or weakness in the limbs.