Physical Therapy for Dizziness & Vertigo in Des Moines & Iowa City
Find Relief From Persistent Dizziness & Lightheadedness at Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness
Dizziness. Lightheadedness. Loss of balance. Vertigo. No matter what word we use to describe it, when everything begins to spin, it can be scary.
The good news is that many causes of dizziness are treatable through physical therapy — without the need to see a doctor first or wait weeks for an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) appointment.
The Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness team is trained to assess your dizziness symptoms to determine the source of your problems. Then, we’ll work with you to form a plan to get you back to feeling normal.
What Are the Common Causes of Dizziness?
Dizziness can come from many sources, ranging from eating and drinking habits to physical symptoms of stress. While some causes are serious medical events, many of the causes are less serious and very treatable. These can include:
- Tight or tense neck muscles
- Inner ear issues
- Low blood pressure
- Ear congestion
- Allergies
- Sickness (such as the flu or a cold)
- Change of medication
- Dehydration
- Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
- Lack of sleep
- Anxiety and stress
Dizziness can also be common both during and after pregnancy. This is to the many changes occurring in your body. At Breathe., we specialize in both pregnancy and postpartum care and can treat your dizziness alongside all of the other aches, pains, and discomforts you’re experiencing.
How Physical Therapy Can Ease & Eliminate Dizziness
During your first appointment at Breathe.’s West Des Moines or North Liberty location, our physical therapists will perform a full assessment of your health to find the root cause. Our approach is holistic, taking your entire health and history into account to pinpoint the best approach to supporting your overall wellness.
Once we determine the cause of your dizziness, our physical therapists will work with you to develop a care plan to treat it.
This physical therapy plan could include:
Neck Stretches & Exercises
In addition to neck stretches, we may work with you to create a personalized set of eye exercises and other balance retraining movements. These techniques can help relieve dizziness, vertigo, and even migraines.
Eye Movements & Balance Retraining
We’ll use special exercises to retrain your body to move with freedom and strength. These targeted movements will zero in on problem areas to promote healthy mobility. We’ll also equip you with the knowledge and equipment you need to manage and treat your muscle pain at home, from stretches to posture alignments to tennis ball rolling techniques.
Manual (Hands-on) Therapy
Hands-on techniques like massage, cupping, passive stretching, and more can help alleviate muscle tension at the source. We’ll use gentle, targeted therapy to help relieve the issues that are causing your dizziness.
Trigger Point Dry Needling
Trigger point dry needling is an effective way to relieve muscle tension at the source. We may use it to help alleviate persistent neck muscle tension that’s causing dizziness or vertigo.
Lifestyle Changes
If nutrition, sleep quality, or other lifestyle factors are playing a role in your dizziness, we’ll help you assess your body’s needs and put together a detailed plan to make those changes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dizziness & Vertigo
What Is the Difference Between Dizziness, Vertigo & Lightheadedness?
We use many words to describe the spinning, disorienting feelings we get in our head. While dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, and many other words are often used interchangeably, there are some differences:
- Dizziness is a general term for the disoriented feelings you experience in your head.
- Vertigo refers to the “spinning” feeling you get inside your head. It feels like everything is moving around you.
- Lightheadedness is when you feel faint, like you might pass out.
At Breathe., we’re well-versed in all types of dizziness. We’ll help you understand what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling that way.
Do I Need to Go to a Doctor for My Dizziness Symptoms First?
Generally, no. If you feel your dizziness is related to an acute medical event such as a heart attack or a stroke, it’s important to call 911 immediately. However, for most instances of dizziness, you can come directly to Breathe. Physical Therapy & Wellness without seeing a doctor first.
We can often schedule an initial appointment within a day or two. Our team of trained doctors in physical therapy will assess you and determine if your symptoms can be treated through physical therapy or if you need to see a doctor or ENT for further treatment.
What Are Some Ways I Can Help Ease Dizziness Symptoms at Home?
Avoid rapid movements, such as bending over quickly, jerking your head to look up or down, or shaking it side to side. Make sure you’re drinking enough water during the day, getting enough nutrients, and not consuming too much caffeine or alcohol. We can also help equip you with some neck stretches that can help ease tightness that can intensify feelings of dizziness.