Vertigo

Vertigo, a feeling of spinning or motion when your body is still, is often caused by problems with the vestibular apparatus - nerves and structures of the inner ear - which provide sensory information about motion, equilibrium, and spatial orientation. Malfunctions in any parts of the ear can cause one to feel unbalanced and dizzy.

Certain types of vertigo can be treated with physical therapy. At Lowell General Hospital, a physical therapist will assess a patient’s symptoms including:

• stability and mobility
• balance/dizziness
• leg strength/flexibility
• neck mobility

Based upon the evaluation, the therapist will then determine the best treatment options. Often, the problems with vertigo can be treated in only a few visits, in which the patient also learns how to relieve symptoms while at home.