All You Want to Know About Vertigo Treatment With Physiotherapy
Does rolling over in bed make the room spin? Does looking up or down send you spinning? It might be vertigo — and the good news is our Burlington physiotherapists can help, often resolving symptoms in as few as three appointments.
Take Mrs. Bertozzi, for example…She complained of spinning vertigo. During the assessment, it appeared that she had similar symptoms for a while, but to a lesser degree. This time around, she was making herself feel awful and decided to reach out for help.
After the assessment, we started treatment for vertigo, and her symptoms were corrected in three appointments.
What is Vertigo?
By definition, vertigo or vestibular disorder is the feeling of uncontrolled spinning. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy is different from spinning vertigo. Most often, vertigo is coming from your inner ear and is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Frequently, small crystals become dislodged in your inner ear, causing the inner ear to send incorrect information to the brain, creating vertigo.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) as mentioned above is an inner-ear disorder that often cause vertigo. It’s like going on the worse roller-coaster where you feel dizzy and lose your balance after coming out of it.
This is how we can describe each part of this condition:
- Benign means it’s not very serious. Your life is not in danger.
- Paroxysmal means that it hits suddenly, lasts a short time, and comes and goes.
- Positional means you trigger the vertigo with certain postures or movements of your head.
- Vertigo, as explained.
The Top 3 Treatments for Vertigo
The right vertigo treatment depends entirely on which type of vertigo you have and which canal is affected. Performing the wrong maneuver can make symptoms worse. The exercises below are for educational purposes — a physiotherapist assessment is always recommended before attempting them on your own.
1. Epley’s Maneuver
If you tried the Dix-Hallpike and felt spinning on one side, the Epley’s maneuver is likely the right exercise to treat vertigo you’re looking for. If your right Dix-Hallpike was positive, you’re going to do the Epley’s maneuver with your neck starting to the right.
Follow these easy steps:
- Start sitting on the bed with your head turned 45* to the right. Place a pillow behind you so that it’s between your shoulder when you lay down.
- Lie back quickly with your head still turned to the side and your head tipped back about 30* from the pillow. Wait until all vertigo stops, then another minute.
- Turn your head slowly 90* to the left. Wait until all vertigo stops, plus another minute.
- Roll your head another 90* to the left so that you’re lying on your left side, looking down towards the floor. Wait for all vertigo to stop, plus another minute.
- Sit up slowly from lying on the left side while looking over your shoulder.
2. BBQ Roll
If you tried the Head Roll Test and felt spinning, the BBQ Roll is probably your treatment for Vertigo. When your left Head Roll test was positive, you’re going to turn to your right during the BBQ Roll.
Follow these easy steps:
- Start lying on your back with a pillow behind your head.
- Roll onto your left side, making a 90* turn. Wait for any vertigo to stop.
- Roll back onto your back, now looking up to the ceiling. Wait for any vertigo to stop.
- Roll onto your left side, making another 90* turn. Wait for any vertigo to stop.
- Roll onto your stomach, propping your fists under your chin to tip your head down. Wait for any vertigo to stop.
- Still turning to your right, roll onto your left side. Once any vertigo has stopped, sit up from lying on your left.
3. Brandt-Daroff Exercise
Here’s what you need to do for this exercise:
- Start in an upright, seated position on your bed.
- Tilt your head around a 45-degree angle away from the side causing your vertigo. Move into the lying position on one side with your nose pointed up.
- Stay in this position for about 30 seconds or until the vertigo eases off, whichever is longer. Then move back to the seated position.
- Repeat on the other side.
You should do these movements from three to five times in a session. You should have three sessions a day for up to 2 weeks, or until the vertigo is gone for 2 days.
What if These Treatments for Vertigo Didn’t Correct my Problem?
Did a few of the assessment positions make the room spin? Having a hard time figuring out which exercise to treat vertigo is right for you? Here’s where some 1-on-1 time with a qualified physiotherapist is key. Treatment techniques for vertigo are usually very successful, only needing 1 or 2 sessions. The trick is figuring out which vertigo exercise is right for you.
If you wish to speak with an expert in vertigo treatment, contact us at our clinic in Burlington. We offer 15 minutes free consultation which allow time to talk to one of our professional physiotherapists at Pillars of Wellness.
We are located at 100 Plains Road West, Burlington Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions For Vertigo Treatment
1 How do I know if I need vertigo treatment?
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, unsteadiness, nausea, or a spinning sensation—especially when changing positions—you may benefit from professional vertigo treatment. A proper assessment by a physiotherapist can help determine the cause and appropriate care plan.
2. What kind of vertigo does physiotherapy help with?
Physiotherapy is most effective for vertigo that originates from the inner ear or cervical spine. The conditions that respond best include:
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) — the most common type, caused by displaced crystals in the inner ear. This responds exceptionally well to physiotherapy, often resolving in 1 to 3 sessions with maneuvers like the Epley or BBQ Roll.
Cervicogenic Vertigo — dizziness caused by dysfunction in the neck joints or muscles, often following whiplash or prolonged poor posture. Physiotherapy addresses the underlying cervical spine issue directly.
Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis — inflammation of the vestibular nerve or inner ear, often following a viral illness. Vestibular rehabilitation physiotherapy helps retrain the brain to compensate for the reduced signal from the affected ear.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) — a chronic dizziness condition that develops after an acute vestibular event. Vestibular physiotherapy combined with other approaches can reduce symptoms significantly.
Physiotherapy is generally not the primary treatment for vertigo caused by cardiovascular conditions, central nervous system disorders, or certain medications. If your symptoms include sudden severe headache, double vision, difficulty speaking, or loss of coordination, seek medical attention immediately rather than physiotherapy.
3. How long does vertigo treatment take to work?
Many patients experience relief after just a few sessions, especially with BPPV. However, for more complex or chronic vestibular issues, a series of sessions over several weeks may be required. Progress depends on the underlying condition and your response to therapy.
4. Is vertigo treatment covered by insurance in Ontario?
Yes, most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover physiotherapy services, including vertigo treatment, when provided by a licensed physiotherapist. It’s best to check with your provider to confirm your individual coverage.
5. Can vertigo return after treatment?
Yes, vertigo can sometimes recur, especially if the underlying cause persists or if preventative strategies aren’t followed. However, ongoing vestibular therapy and at-home exercises can reduce the chances of recurrence and improve long-term balance.
6. Do I need a doctor’s referral for vertigo treatment at your Burlington clinic?
No referral is needed to see a physiotherapist for vertigo treatment at Pillars of Wellness. However, we do collaborate with family physicians and specialists to ensure integrated care when needed.
7. What makes your vertigo treatment in Burlington unique?
Our clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach, combining the expertise of physiotherapists, naturopaths, and other health professionals under one roof. We provide individualized treatment plans based on evidence-based care tailored to your symptoms and recovery goals.
Mari Mueller, Physiotherapist
