Experiencing sudden dizziness or feeling off-balance can be unsettling, especially if it keeps happening. For those with vertigo, even simple activities can become challenging. While medications and lifestyle changes play essential roles in vertigo management, exercise physiology offers a powerful approach to help restore balance, reduce symptoms, and regain control.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or feeling off-kilter, often due to issues in the inner ear, vestibular nerve, or brain. Common causes include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s Disease, and Vestibular Neuritis. These conditions can disrupt daily life and may significantly impact physical and mental well-being. Fortunately, a tailored exercise physiology and vertigo program can help manage these symptoms effectively.

Signs and Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo symptoms can vary based on the underlying cause. Some people may experience only mild dizziness, while others might find their symptoms more intense. Here are some common signs:

• Spinning Sensation: The primary symptom of vertigo is a false sense of spinning or movement, where you feel like you’re moving or that the surroundings are.
• Loss of Balance: Feeling unsteady can make it difficult to walk or stand. This imbalance can increase the risk of falls, especially when vertigo comes on suddenly.
• Nausea and Dizziness: Vertigo often brings nausea and, in some cases, vomiting, particularly if the dizziness is severe.
• Abnormal Eye Movements (Nystagmus): Some people with vertigo experience rapid, uncontrolled eye movements, especially common with certain types of vertigo, such as BPPV.
• Hearing Loss or Ringing: If vertigo is related to the inner ear, you might experience hearing loss, ear fullness, or tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sounds).

Common Causes of Vertigo

Understanding the cause of vertigo helps guide the right exercise physiology and vertigo management approach. Some common causes include:

• BPPV: Often triggered by head movements, BPPV is caused by small crystals in the inner ear that become dislodged.
• Vestibular Neuritis: A viral infection that inflames the vestibular nerve, leading to intense bouts of vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: A chronic inner ear condition that leads to fluid buildup, causing episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and ear pressure.
• Migraines: Some people experience vertigo along with migraines, often with heightened sensitivity to light and sound.
• Head or Neck Trauma: Falls, car accidents, or sports injuries can lead to long-term vertigo symptoms, especially when they affect the inner ear or neck muscles.

How Exercise Physiology Helps with Vertigo

The goal of exercise physiology and vertigo treatment is to ease symptoms and help restore balance through targeted, guided exercises. Working with an exercise physiologist involves tailored balance training to strengthen stabilising muscles around the ankles, hips, and core, which improves stability and reduces the risk of falls. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises are also essential as they retrain the brain to process mixed signals from the inner ear, eyes, and body, effectively reducing dizziness. Additionally, exercises focusing on eye, head, and body movements enhance coordination, making everyday tasks easier and safer to manage.

Key Exercises for Vertigo Relief

A solid exercise physiology and vertigo program often includes gaze stabilisation exercises, balance drills, and vestibular rehabilitation movements, all designed to improve stability and control. Gaze stabilisation trains the eyes to focus on a fixed point while the head moves, which helps with visual steadiness and reduces dizziness. Balance drills such as standing on one leg or walking heel-to-toe build strength and control, while vestibular rehab movements, like the Epley maneuver, recalibrate the inner ear. Additionally, strengthening and flexibility exercises for the legs, hips, and core provide a strong foundation for managing balance challenges and preventing falls.

Benefits of Working with an Exercise Physiologist for Vertigo

With a personalised exercise physiology and vertigo program, an exercise physiologist can help reduce vertigo episodes, enhance balance, and provide a safer approach to movement. Each case of vertigo is unique, so programs are tailored to meet specific needs, helping clients regain confidence in their movements and reduce the risk of falls.

A Path to Reclaiming Your Balance

Though vertigo can feel overwhelming, exercise physiology and vertigo management offers a steady path to relief and control. Engaging in targeted exercises helps build resilience, reduces symptoms, and improves quality of life. If vertigo is disrupting your days, chat with one of our qualified exercise physiologists about starting a program to help you feel more confident and steady.

Ready to Steady Up?

At East Coast Rehab & Health, we’re here to support your health journey with exercise physiology and vertigo programs designed to get you back on stable ground. Contact us today to find out how we can help you manage vertigo and regain your sense of balance.