Want to get rid of dizziness? Here’s how Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners can help.
Do you frequently experience dizziness? Do you ever feel like your dizziness is so bad that you’re going to trip or fall? Dizziness, which affects 15–20% of adults annually, is commonly thought of as an altered sense of balance and is described as feeling lightheaded, faint, or as if your head is spinning. The first step in resolving your dizziness is to identify its cause.
Key takeaways: dizziness relief
- Common symptoms: Dizziness often involves lightheadedness, loss of equilibrium, nausea, and unsteadiness.
- Potential causes: Factors range from inner ear issues like BPPV to migraines, dehydration, or circulation problems.
- PT solutions: Physical therapy treats dizziness using vestibular rehabilitation, balance exercises, and manual therapy.
- Personalized care: Treatment plans are tailored to the specific cause, such as removing calcium deposits in the ear to treat vertigo.
- Local access: Specialized care is available in Utah, Idaho, and Montana.
If you’ve been experiencing dizziness and are looking for a long-term solution, our physical therapists in Utah, Montana, and Idaho can help. Make an appointment with Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners to relieve dizziness.
Common symptoms of dizziness
Dizziness can be caused or contributed to by a variety of lifestyle and medical factors, including:
- Lifestyle: Lack of sleep, poor diet, or excessive exercise.
- Illness: Common head colds, the flu, or migraines.
- Substances: Alcohol, recreational drugs, or specific prescription medications.
- Physiological: Orthostatic hypotension (rising too quickly) or vision problems.
There are also physiological reasons, such as orthostatic hypotension, which occurs when rising abruptly or excessively after lying or sitting for an extended period. For some people, dizziness is the first sign of a migraine or vision problems.
The following may accompany dizziness:
- Loss of equilibrium
- Feeling faint
- Tunnel vision
- Heavy-headedness or light-headedness
- Nausea
- Unsteadiness
The most effective way to determine what is causing your dizziness is to see a physical therapist. This will also help you identify any underlying conditions or factors that may be causing your overall condition.
How can physical therapy help with dizziness?
Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment option for dizziness. Furthermore, our therapists are highly trained and have years of experience helping people relieve dizziness, lightheadedness, and other symptoms that are interfering with their sense of stability and functioning.
Our physical therapists will conduct a thorough physical examination and review your medical history to ensure we provide a personalized treatment plan based on evidence-based methods and research.
We will analyze the information gathered during your assessment to determine the specific cause of your dizziness and design our program accordingly.
Your personalized treatment plan typically includes a combination of the following:
- Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques to improve joint and tissue function.
- Balance & coordination: Exercises to stabilize your movement and prevent falls.
- Education: Learning how to manage symptoms and avoid triggers.
- Condition-specific techniques: Targeted movements designed for your specific diagnosis.
The following are the most common treatments:
- Mitigating vestibular symptoms: One of the most common causes of dizziness is a condition of the inner ear called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which accounts for over half of peripheral vertigo cases. Specific head and body movements and positions can help to alleviate this condition. These movements aid in the restoration of calcium deposits, which alleviates dizziness.
- Vestibular rehabilitation and balance exercises: To reduce dizziness, specific balance exercises and activities that focus on the nervous system and nerve sensitivity are used.
- Addressing the underlying causes with qualified medical personnel: Examining your eyes and ears and seeing a cardiologist if your problem is related to your heart or circulation. To ensure your safety and overall well-being, take the appropriate medication and monitor the side effects.
Are you in need of relief from dizziness? If so, please get in touch with us right away. Our team will provide relief for all of your symptoms.
Ready to return to the activities you love?
Dizziness can disrupt your daily activities and make even the most basic tasks difficult. You do, however, have options for relief at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners. Our physical therapists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating dizziness.
Our experts will evaluate your condition and recommend treatments to address your concerns and improve your function. Make an appointment at our physical therapy clinics so we can help you get back on your feet!
Start taking control of your health—get started today
Frequently Asked Questions
How can physical therapy help with dizziness?
Physical therapists use a program called vestibular rehabilitation to calm dizziness and improve balance. After a full exam, your therapist may use:
- Canal-repositioning maneuvers (for example, the Epley) to move inner-ear crystals back where they belong.
- Gaze-stabilization exercises that train your eyes and inner ear to work together.
- Balance and walking drills to cut fall risk and build confidence.
- Strength and flexibility work to support safe, steady movement.
Most plans include short daily exercises you can do at home and are updated as your symptoms improve. Request an appointment to learn which techniques are right for you.
What are the most common symptoms associated with dizziness?
Dizziness can feel different for each person. Common symptoms include:
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Light-headedness or feeling faint
- Loss of balance or unsteady walking
- Tunnel or blurred vision
- Nausea or queasy stomach
- A heavy or “swimmy” head
If these feelings last more than a few days or keep coming back, see a physical therapist for a full evaluation.
How long does physical therapy for dizziness usually take?
The timeline depends on the cause and how long you have felt dizzy. Many people notice a clear improvement after 3–6 therapy sessions (about 6–8 weeks). More complex cases may need additional visits. Your therapist will track progress each week and adjust care until you can move safely without symptoms.
What exercises can I do at home to help with dizziness?
After a therapist shows you proper form, these simple moves can speed recovery:
- Brandt-Daroff repeats: Sit, turn your head, and lie on each side to retrain the inner ear.
- Gaze-stabilization: Keep your eyes on a fixed target while slowly turning your head side to side.
- Standing balance drills: Stand on one foot or on a foam pad to challenge stability.
Have someone nearby the first few times you try these and stop if symptoms worsen. Always ask a physical therapist which exercises are appropriate for your condition before starting.
What is the Epley maneuver?
The Epley maneuver is a step-by-step head-turning technique that moves loose calcium crystals out of the inner ear canal, which causes benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). A physical therapist guides you through the positions, with success rates ranging from 63–98% after one or more attempts.