Ask a PT

156 Posts
 
Posted - 05/20/2008 :  14:56:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Our user asked: "I have had vertigo for 2 months. I have done the exercises and has not gotten better. My Dr. is sending me to a phyical therapist. What is involed in this treatment. I know I have be upright standing or sitting for 24 hours. Please advise."

Ask a PT Response: "The PT will conduct an evaluation to rule in or out various conditions associated with vertigo. One common condition associated with vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). If you have BPPV the PT should be able to determine on which side and where this abnormality is occuring. Once the specifics has been determined, the PT can perform physical maneuvers such as the Epley or Sermont Maneuvers to the affected side to help relodge the crystals which are invloved in BPPV. There is usually a success rate of about 85% after 1-2 treatments. It is recommended that you avoid positions or activities which elicit symptoms once the maneuver has been performed so as not to dislodge the crystals again. As far as you having to be upright or sitting for the next 24 hours after the treatment, the most recent BPPV course which I attended stated that studies are not conclusive in regards to this. Therefore, you can lie on your back in bed but it is recommended that you utilize a few extra pillows. For more information on BPPV please visit: http://www.cyberpt.com/CyberPTBPPV.asp
Good luck and thanks for using CyberPT."