The human body’s internal sense of balance is deeply rooted in one critical need: knowing where the head is in space. As the brain is the control center of the body, the body has built multiple, layered systems in order to maintain its protection. The brain seeks feedback from our visual (eyes), vestibular (ears), and somatosensory (body) systems as a triple-check to make sure it knows the head’s exact location. If the brain gets any mixed signals in this - say, for example, that your vision is telling your brain you’re looking straight ahead but the tension in your neck is telling your brain that the head is turned to the right - there is a mismatch of information, and you may feel dizzy or off balance if the brain can’t make sense of that mismatch. The key to vestibular rehabilitation is balance - balancing out these systems in order to feel balanced. When the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems are all saying the same information, at an equal volume, and equal rate, balance is restored.

Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV) is “traditional” vertigo. This is when the crystals within the inner ear dislodge from their normal position and float within the connecting canals. People with BPPV typically get dizzy when looking up or bending forward, laying down into and getting up from bed, and turning over in bed. Symptoms typically include the room spinning, and last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Sometimes nausea and vomiting also accompany the spinning sensation. Vestibular therapists are able to assess for BPPV through the Dix-Hallpike and/or Roll Test, and treat using the Epley and BBQ Roll procedures. They can also provide home program exercises for self-assessment and treatment of this condition should it return in the future. On average, BPPV resolves within 1-3 skilled treatments.

Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)

Altered Posture and Neck Pain/Limited Mobility

Oculomotor Dysfunction

Visual Reliance

Somatosensory Hypofunction

Impaired Proprioception

Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis

Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Headaches and Migraines

Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury

Meniere’s Disease

We are so sorry you have had this experience, though unfortunately it is a very common one. Medical doctors often have limited opportunity for education dedicated to the vestibular systems and their interactions, and therefore often can feel at a loss themselves for how to be of further help once a patient’s symptoms have exhausted the extent of their training. For this reason, Jigsaw Humanity’s vestibular therapists make a concerted effort to connect with local Primary Care Physicians, Otolaryngologists (commonly known as ENTs), and Audiologists for education and consultation. The more clinicians who know what vestibular rehab can do, the sooner folks can get the care they need and avoid feeling lost in or abandoned by the medical system. Please know the clinicians at Jigsaw Humanity see you.

And the shortest answer to this question is YES. While no one can ever guarantee that symptoms will be completely resolved and/or never return, engaging vestibular rehabilitation consistently decreases the severity of symptoms to at least a low and manageable level, if not complete resolution. And your clinician will ensure you have the tools needed to keep symptoms at bay and reduce them again should they return again later in life.