Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, commonly known as BPPV, is a condition that occurs when the crystals in your inner ear, known as otoliths, become dislodged. BPPV is a specific type of vertigo—a sensation of spinning or dizziness. This dizziness is often described as “room spinning dizziness” that lasts approximately 30-60 seconds.

Onset usually occurs when you change positions like rolling over in bed, standing up or bending over. It is considered "benign" because it is not life-threatening, but it can significantly impact a person's daily life.

A physical therapist can perform maneuvers that re-position the crystals, which decreases symptoms and improves tolerance to position changes.

Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of conditions that involve dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

The ANS is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control. When the ANS doesn't function properly, it can lead to a range of symptoms affecting various organs and bodily processes.

Symptoms can include:

Dizziness, “racing heart”, fatigue, brain fog, fainting or near fainting episodes, vision changes, chest pain, sleep disturbances and exercise intolerance.

There are 3 common types of Dysautonomia:

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Orthostatic Intolerance (OI)

Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)

Testing can be done to determine which type of dysautonomia is present and then appropriate interventions and lifestyle modifications can be implemented to address symptoms and activity tolerance.

Long COVID refers to a sequelae of persistent symptoms that occur after the acute phase of the infection.

Symptoms can vary, but often include:

Exercise or activity intolerance, fatigue and muscle weakness, balance and coordination impairments, visual strain and orthostatic intolerance

Physical Therapy interventions can be implemented to address functional limitations, gradually increase activity tolerance and improve ones quality of life.

Vestibular migraines are a specific type of migraine that affects the body's balance and spatial orientation.

In addition to typical migraine symptoms such as intense head pain and light sensitivity, individuals who suffer from vestibular migraines tend to also experience dizziness, nausea and vomiting and impaired coordination.

Physical Therapy can be beneficial to improve balance, decrease sensation of dizziness and improve overall quality of life.

Vestibular hypofunction is a condition where the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation, is functioning below its optimal level.

This can result in various symptoms that affect an individual's ability to navigate their surroundings confidently. Common symptoms include dizziness, balance deficits, difficulty concentrating, nausea, motion sickness and gait or postural instability.

Physical Therapy interventions for vestibular dysfunction aim to improve balance, gait, coordination and gaze stabilization.

Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a condition characterized by persistent dizziness and unsteadiness that often worsens with specific movements or changes in posture.

PPPD symptoms typically last for an extended period, often three months or more. Symptoms include dizziness that is non-spinning in nature, is present at rest and intensifies with movement.

Physical Therapy interventions aim to improve balance, reduce symptoms, and enhance the brain's ability to adapt to different movement.

Dr. Brown also has 7+ years of experience treating sports and orthopedic injuries, and will happily assist in your recovery from more common musculoskeletal injuries.

Reboot Concussion Recovery can be your one-stop-shop for all your physical therapy needs.