The room spins when you roll over in bed or look up? Vertigo is one of the most unsettling symptoms patients bring to us — and one where the right treatment often works surprisingly fast.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is the false sensation of movement — the room or your own body spinning. The most common type is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), caused by displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear. Other frequent contributors: vestibular dysfunction after viral infections, vestibular migraine and the cervical component — dizziness sustained by upper-neck joint dysfunction and muscle tension.
Common symptoms
Short spinning episodes triggered by position changes (rolling in bed, bending, looking up), unsteadiness when walking, nausea during episodes, “foggy head” and neck tension. In BPPV, episodes typically last under a minute and are clearly positional.
Common causes
BPPV (the most common cause, especially after 50 or minor head knocks), upper cervical dysfunction and forward-head posture, vestibular hypofunction after infections, vestibular migraine, and stress amplifying symptoms. Neurological and cardiovascular causes are screened for at assessment — correct triage comes first.
Can it be treated without surgery?
Yes — BPPV is treated with repositioning manoeuvres (Epley and variants), with high success rates in only a few sessions. The cervical component responds to manual therapy and exercise; vestibular hypofunction responds to vestibular rehabilitation (balance retraining).
How we treat vertigo at Medicine Park
We start with careful assessment: episode history, positional testing, cervical spine and balance evaluation — and screening for signs that need medical referral. Your plan may include repositioning manoeuvres, vestibular rehabilitation, cervical manual therapy and progressive balance training, all delivered in English.
How long does recovery take?
BPPV often improves within 1–3 sessions. Cervical forms and vestibular hypofunction need a programme over several weeks, with measurable progress.
When to seek help
If dizziness keeps returning or makes you afraid to move freely, book an assessment. Vertigo with slurred speech, double vision or sudden weakness is a medical emergency — call 112.
