Physiotherapy may not seem like a viable option for treating vertigo and dizziness. Still, research has shown that particular physiotherapy exercises can regularly benefit those who have these symptoms. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy is the term used to describe this type of treatment, and understanding what it is will help us better grasp how it works. In the inner ear and the brain, the vestibular system governs balance. As a result, dizziness, trouble balancing, and vision issues can all be caused by injury to this system. The body can be retrained to compensate for irreversible system damage.

What does the vestibular system do, and how does it work?

There are two peripheral vestibular systems in the inner ear for each person, one on each side of the head. The utricle and the saccule are two of the three semi-circular canals in the peripheral vestibular system. While the utricle and saccule monitor the head's position in space (relative to gravity) and head motions along a straight line, the semi-circular canals monitor the head's turning movements along three space planes. The semi-circular canals are filled with water, as are the utricle and saccule. The movement of fluid and crystals in the vestibular system causes sensory inputs and the sense of movement, resulting from the movement of these hair-like nerve cells in the semi-circular canal, utricle, and an imbalance in the nerve input on saccule Vertigo.

How are dizziness and vertigo alleviated?

Although vertigo has a high rate of spontaneous resolution, therapies are available to hasten recovery and assist people with long-standing symptoms. Treatment is also determined by the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms.

Vertigo can be caused by crystals being in the canals where they're not supposed to be, causing the brain to perceive movement when none is occurring. The goal of the treatment is to move the crystals. The Epley Manoeuvre is a frequent technique used by physiotherapists to relocate crystals in the head and body of their patients. BPPV can be successfully treated using the Epley Manoeuvre. 

Training the brain to be less sensitive to the vestibular impulses interpreted as dizzy is another way to treat vertigo." In contrast to the Epley Manoeuvre, Brandt-Dar off exercises can benefit patients with vertigo by teaching them to ignore (or at least become less receptive to) the erroneous neural system inputs that generate dizziness. Brandt-Dar off exercises are less prevalent, but they can nevertheless help. Using Brandt-Dar off exercises may be necessary if the Epley Manoeuvre fails to alleviate a patient's discomfort.

An injury to the vestibular system or the neck may cause dizziness or vertigo that follows a concussion or car accident. Alterations in the brain's processing of nerve system inputs that help with balance may also play a role. There is some evidence to suggest that the initial step in treating dizziness after an injury should be to examine and treat the neck problem due to the huge number of nervous system inputs from the neck. The vestibular system may need further evaluation and therapy if the neck treatment fails to alleviate dizziness.

Would vestibular rehabilitation and a focus on balance be a possibility?

If the exercises elicit the patient's symptoms of vertigo or dizziness, they may result in improved balance and lower fall risk.

People with dizziness can overcome their symptoms by participating in dizziness-related exercise programmes, and their confidence and overall activity levels improve. Like many other physiotherapy fields, Vestibular rehabilitation needs further research to determine which patients gain the most from it and what activities should be included in it.

Treatment for dizziness and vertigo cannot be one-size-fits-all because of the various possible causes. Vertigo or dizziness that restricts your everyday activities or makes you frightened of falling can be treated with physiotherapy, pinpointing the source of the problem and giving individualised treatment.

Do not let frequent spells detract from your overall well-being. Resuming daily activities such as showering, walking, engaging in sports or completing chores might be assisted by physiotherapy treatment. Increasing one's self-confidence and stamina are two more potential benefits.