Vertigo Rehab| | Experience Fairfield Medical Center

Feeling Dizzy? A physical therapist and audiologist can assist with managing vertigo and dizziness symptoms.

Since vertigo is often a result of an inner ear problem, you may work with an audiologist, who is specially educated in diagnosing and providing treatment to help improve and resolve symptoms. Physical therapists are movement experts who will work with you hands-on – prescribing movement and providing techniques to clear your inner ear problems that may be causing symptoms.

What to do if you feel dizzy:

Sit or lie down immediately
Turn off the lights and close your eyes
Drink some water
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Remove any tripping hazards so you are less likely to fall.

If you are experiencing vertigo along with one or more of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:

Double vision
Difficulty speaking
Change in alertness
Arm or leg weakness
Inability to walk

All physical and audiology therapists are trained to treat your dizziness and vertigo-like symptoms. However, working with a therapist who has additional training and experience dealing with vertigo and neurological vestibular rehabilitation may be best suited to improving your specific symptoms.

Fairfield Medical Center offers physical therapy at two locations in Lancaster.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the sensation of spinning. Even if you are perfectly still, objects around you may feel and appear as if they are moving or the room is moving around you. Most vertigo symptoms are caused by impairment in the vestibular system, part of your inner ear that is responsible for balance.

Symptoms often include:

A false sense of motion or spinning (vertigo)
Light-headedness or feeling faint
Unsteadiness or loss of balance
A feeling of floating, wooziness or heavy-headedness

You may also experience:

Nausea
Vomiting
Abnormal eye movements
Difficulty walking due to imbalance

Vertigo and dizziness are common symptoms that impact an estimated 40% of the general population at least once in their lives. Vertigo often feels like you or your environment are spinning. Common symptoms also include feelings of light-headedness or imbalance. Vertigo affects people of all ages, but it is more common as you get older and is about two to three times higher in women than men. Since vertigo often is connected to balance problems, individuals who are age 65 and over are a greater risk of fractures and major injuries from a fall caused by imbalance.
A physical therapist can assist with managing vertigo and dizziness symptoms, so you can get back to your regular activities. Since vertigo is often a result of an inner ear problem, you may work with an audiologist, who is specially educated in diagnosing and providing treatment to help improve and resolve symptoms. Physical therapists are movement experts who will work with you hands-on – prescribing movement and providing techniques to clear your inner ear problems that may be causing symptoms.
After a comprehensive evaluation, a physical therapist or audiologist can establish goals and a treatment plan that aligns with the specific symptoms you are experiencing. The main goal of therapy is to get you back to your prior level of function, reducing or eliminating any symptoms.
Treatment plans may include:
- Performing movements that can help clear the inner ear
- Exercises to improve balance
- Exercise to improve your ability to focus your eyes and vision
- Exercises to increase tolerance to visually stimulating environments

Schedule an Appointment

For more information about vertigo or to schedule an appointment, please contact Outpatient Therapy Services at 740-687-8602.