Dizzy spells and daily life: How physical therapy can help with vertigo, and balance issues

Did you know that nearly 40% of Americans will experience some form of dizziness or balance issue in their lifetime? 

And for some, vertigo isn’t just an occasional inconvenience—it’s a disruptive, often scary condition that makes everyday tasks feel risky. Whether it’s getting out of bed, walking across a room, or driving to work, vertigo can turn simple movements into uncertain challenges.

What many don’t know is that physical therapy can help. At Focus, we offer vestibular rehab and balance training that can help you regain confidence and control by addressing the root causes of your dizziness.

Why does vertigo happen?

Vertigo is more than just feeling dizzy. It’s the distinct sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, even when you’re standing still. This feeling can last seconds or persist for hours.

In many cases, vertigo is linked to issues within the vestibular system—structures in your inner ear and brain that control balance and spatial orientation. The most common form is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), often triggered by sudden head movements. Other causes include inner ear infections, migraines, and sometimes head injuries.

Understanding the cause is key to effective treatment. That’s where physical therapy comes in—with targeted exercises and evaluations designed to retrain your body’s balance system and reduce symptoms over time.

How physical therapy can help restore your balance.

When it comes to treating vertigo and balance issues, physical therapy can be surprisingly effective. A specific form of care called vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) focuses on helping your brain adapt to imbalances in your inner ear.

Here's how it helps:

• Customized exercises improve eye movement control and reduce dizziness.

• Balance training helps patients walk more steadily and reduce fall risk.

• Positional maneuvers, like the Epley maneuver, can realign tiny crystals in the inner ear that often cause BPPV.

This isn’t one-size-fits-all care. One of our trained physical therapists will assess your symptoms and build a plan that fits your specific situation, so you’re not just managing dizziness, you’re actually retraining your body to regain steadiness and control.

For patients dealing with chronic or recurring vertigo, professional care can make a significant difference in both symptoms and overall quality of life.

A note on geriatric falls and balance therapy as prevention:

For older adults, vertigo and balance issues don’t just cause discomfort—they significantly increase the risk of falls. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults aged 65 and older.

Physical therapy plays a key role in fall prevention by improving stability, reaction time, and confidence with movement. Vestibular rehab and balance training can help older patients feel steadier on their feet, especially when moving from sitting to standing or navigating uneven ground.

If you or a loved one has been feeling off-balance, even without full-blown vertigo, this type of therapy can be a proactive step toward safer, more independent living.

What to expect during your visit.

If you’ve never been to physical therapy for vertigo before, you might be unsure what to expect. Your first visit will usually involve:

• A discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and what triggers your dizziness.

• A physical assessment to evaluate balance, posture, eye movements, and walking.

• Gentle movements or positioning tests to diagnose BPPV or other vestibular issues.

Once we understand what’s causing your symptoms, we’ll recommend a treatment plan. Most people see improvement within a few sessions—especially when the cause is mechanical, like with BPPV.

The goal is always to help you feel more stable, reduce episodes of dizziness, and get you back to daily life without fear of falling or losing your balance.

Get back to feeling steady on your feet. 

Vertigo can feel isolating—but you’re not alone, and you don’t have to manage it on your own. If dizziness is interfering with your daily life, our team in Jacksonville is here to help with evidence-based, one-on-one care.

Call us today to learn if vestibular therapy is the right fit for you.

FAQs

1. Can my vertigo go away on its own? Sometimes vertigo goes away on its own—but not always. For issues like BPPV, symptoms can linger until treated with the right repositioning techniques.

2. How long does treatment take? The time it will take you to notice improvements depends on the root cause of your imbalance, but many patients feel relief after just several sessions. Chronic cases may take longer, but consistent therapy helps.