Dizziness and Imbalance is a sensation that we have all probably experienced at some point in our lifetime. However, when dizziness is no longer a transient feeling after a carnival ride and it impacts our ability to perform normal day to day things like driving, laying in bed, and walking in a grocery store, then it becomes a huge burden.
To be clear: dizziness is not always the classic room-spinning sensation. It can also be described as floating, rocking, imbalance, fuzzy, and just plain weird.
Feelings of dizziness brought nearly 4 million people to the emergency room in the United States in 2011. Emergency room visits and the imaging that follows can result in overwhelming medical bills with sometimes no answers or solutions.
What Causes Dizziness?
Dizziness and imbalance can result from a litany of medical conditions. It is important to note that sudden onset of dizziness can accompany transient ischemic attacks (TIA or “mini-strokes”) and strokes. In order to identify a stroke, use the “FAST” principle:
Facial Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time (it is important to act quickly and get to the hospital as soon as possible)
However, if you are not experiencing the symptoms listed above, then your dizziness and imbalance may be due to one of the following: vestibular cochlear nerve injury, concussion, vertigo (displacement of calcium crystals in your semicircular canal), vestibular migraines, neck pathology (whip-lash), Meniere’s disease, nervous system conditions, or motion sensitivity.
Physical Therapists Can Help!
Physical Therapists specialize in Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), which focuses on the systems that are causing the dizziness/imbalance. It is important to seek treatment from someone that specializes in VRT. A clinician that has not had further education in managing dizziness/imbalance can perform treatments that could exacerbate symptoms and lengthen the time it takes to resolve dizziness/imbalance.
Dr. Patricia Pruszynski, DPT received her training in VRT from the world-renowned Duke University “Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency Based Course”, which is widely recognized as the gold standard in VRT training. At One on One PT, you will benefit from individualized attention and a personalized care plan to help you overcome your dizziness.
It’s time to stop living with your dizziness and seek treatment because we are here to help!
Dr. Patricia Pruszynski, DPT (who goes by P.J.) has a passion for working with patients suffering from concussions and other dizziness/vestibular disorders such as vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis, BPPV, Meniere’s, migraines, and small vessel strokes. Dr. P.J. studied alongside experts in the field at the world-renowned Duke University’s course for management of dizziness and balance disorders. Her advanced training in manual medicine and triggerpoint dry needling compliment her specialization in vestibular rehabilitation, which allows her to take “a whole-body approach”. Dr. P.J. graduated summa cum laude from the University of Delaware with a Bachelors in Exercise Science and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Emory University. She has a background in dance, track, and soccer. When P.J. is not working with her patients, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and trying out new restaurants with her husband.
