Vertigo and Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms and Physiotherapy Treatment in Bicton
Vertigo can be a very unsettling experience. Many people describe it as a spinning sensation, imbalance, or feeling like the world is moving around them.
The good news is that in many cases, vertigo is not serious and can be treated effectively with physiotherapy—often without medication.
At Apex Physiotherapy in Bicton, we regularly assess and treat patients with vertigo and dizziness using evidence-based vestibular rehabilitation techniques.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It refers to a false sensation of movement, often described as:
- The room spinning
- Feeling like you are tilting or swaying
- Sudden loss of balance
- Lightheadedness or nausea
Vertigo is commonly caused by issues within the vestibular system (inner ear balance system).
The Vestibular System (Your Balance System)
Your inner ear contains the vestibular system, which is responsible for helping your brain understand:
- Head position
- Movement
- Balance
- Spatial awareness
Inside each ear are three fluid-filled semicircular canals, positioned in different planes to detect movement in all directions:
- Forward and backward
- Side to side
- Up and down
These canals send constant signals to your brain to maintain balance.
When this system is disrupted, symptoms of vertigo can occur.
What Causes Vertigo?
1. BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
The most common cause of vertigo is BPPV.
This occurs when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals of the inner ear.
This causes:
- Incorrect balance signals to the brain
- Sudden spinning sensations
- Symptoms triggered by head movements
Common triggers include:
- Rolling in bed
- Looking up or down
- Getting out of bed
- Bending forward
2. Inner Ear Inflammation or Infection
Vertigo can also occur after:
- Viral infections
- Inner ear inflammation (labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis)
- Fluid changes in the inner ear
These conditions can temporarily disrupt balance signals.
3. Less Common Causes
In some cases, vertigo may be related to:
- Migraine-associated vertigo
- Medication side effects
- Neurological conditions (rare)
- Nerve compression or irritation
A physiotherapist will screen for red flags and refer if required.
Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo symptoms vary between individuals but commonly include:
- Spinning sensation
- Loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unsteadiness when walking
- Feeling “off” or disoriented
- Eye movement disturbances (nystagmus)
Symptoms may last seconds, minutes, or longer depending on the cause.
How Physiotherapy Helps Vertigo
Physiotherapy plays a key role in diagnosing and treating vestibular conditions.
At your appointment, your physiotherapist will:
1. Assessment and Diagnosis
- Review your symptoms and triggers
- Rule out serious neurological or medical causes
- Perform positional testing to identify BPPV
Key questions include:
- When do symptoms occur?
- Are symptoms triggered by movement?
- Any hearing changes, tinnitus, or ear fullness?
- Recent illness or viral infection?
2. Treatment for BPPV
If BPPV is identified, your physiotherapist can perform a repositioning manoeuvre.
This is a gentle, hands-on technique designed to:
- Move displaced crystals back into their correct position
- Restore normal balance function
- Reduce or eliminate vertigo symptoms
Common techniques include:
- Epley Manoeuvre
- Semont Manoeuvre
Symptoms may temporarily worsen during treatment, but improvement is often rapid—sometimes after just one session.
3. Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises
For non-BPPV causes or ongoing symptoms, your physiotherapist may prescribe vestibular exercises such as:
- Gaze stabilisation exercises
- Balance retraining
- Head movement adaptation exercises
- Walking and coordination drills
These exercises help your brain recalibrate balance signals over time.
Can Vertigo Go Away on Its Own?
Some types of vertigo resolve naturally, especially after viral illness.
However, BPPV often persists or recurs unless treated with specific repositioning techniques.
Physiotherapy can significantly speed up recovery and reduce recurrence.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Review
While most vertigo is not serious, seek urgent medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden severe headache
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness
- Double vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent vomiting
These may indicate a neurological cause.
Vertigo Physiotherapy in Bicton
If you are experiencing dizziness, imbalance, or vertigo, our team at Apex Physiotherapy Bicton can help identify the cause and provide effective treatment.
Most cases of BPPV can be treated quickly with targeted physiotherapy techniques.
Early assessment leads to faster recovery and reduced symptom recurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common cause of vertigo?
The most common cause is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), where calcium crystals in the inner ear become displaced.
How does physiotherapy treat vertigo?
Physiotherapists use repositioning manoeuvres (such as the Epley manoeuvre) and vestibular exercises to restore normal balance function.
How quickly can vertigo be treated?
Many cases of BPPV improve immediately or within 1–2 sessions of treatment.
Can vertigo come back?
Yes. BPPV can recur, but physiotherapy can teach strategies to manage and reduce recurrence.
Is dizziness always caused by the inner ear?
No. Dizziness can also be related to migraine, blood pressure, neurological conditions or medication, which is why assessment is important.
Vertigo Treatment in Bicton and Perth South
At Apex Physiotherapy Bicton, we assess and treat vertigo and dizziness for patients across Bicton, East Fremantle, Melville, Palmyra and surrounding Perth suburbs. Our physiotherapists use evidence-based vestibular assessment and repositioning techniques to identify the cause of vertigo and provide targeted treatment.