Experiencing dizziness, lightheadedness, imbalance, and nausea? Do quick movements of your head, rolling over in bed, or using a hair dryer cause a spinning sensation or unsteadiness? You could be experiencing a condition called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is a disorder of the inner ear, a major part of the body’s vestibular system, which plays a vital part in maintaining balance.

The inner ear is made up of three semi-circular canals filled with fluid that flow specifically with head movement to give your brain information about where your head and body is positioned in space. With BPPV, debris enters these semi-circular canals in the form of “ear rocks”. These “ear rocks” interfere with the flow of the fluid and can cause the aforementioned vertigo symptoms.

Causes of BPPV vary, but it is most often idiopathic (meaning occurring for no known reason, but generally as a result of age related wear and tear of part of the inner ear’s membrane) or as a result of head trauma. It can also result from viruses affecting the inner ear, long periods of inactivity, and in some cases reactions to specific antibiotics.

Your trained BPPV physiotherapist or doctor may use several tests to diagnose BPPV. Upon physical examination your practitioner may have to move your head into positions that produce the BPPV symptoms. If a diagnosis of BPPV is established, your practitioner will apply specific techniques to relocate the “ear rocks” so that they no longer produce your vertigo sensations. The success rate of BPPV physiotherapy treatment in most cases with these repositioning techniques is approximately 90% within 3 visits.

If you feel you are be suffering from this condition, contact AHI to book with our BPPV-Trained Physiotherapist.

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