How to Cure Vertigo: What Works and What Doesn’t

Ever had that sudden dizzy spell where it feels like the whole room is spinning? Maybe it happens when you roll over in bed, stand up too quickly, or turn your head a certain way. It’s unsettling, frustrating, and can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible.

That’s vertigo. And if you’ve experienced it, you know how disruptive it can be.

In many cases, it can be treated. The key is figuring out what’s causing it and using the right approach to fix it. While medication might seem like the easiest solution, it often only masks the symptoms. Physical therapy, on the other hand, can help retrain your body, improve balance, and stop dizziness at its source.

So, what actually works when it comes to curing vertigo? And what’s just a waste of time? Let’s break it down.

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What Actually Causes Vertigo?

Before we get into how to cure vertigo, let’s talk about why it happens in the first place.

Vertigo isn’t a condition—it’s a symptom. It usually means there’s an issue with your inner ear (vestibular system), nervous system, or even your neck. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo BPPV

• This is the most common cause of vertigo.
• It happens when tiny crystals in your inner ear shift out of place, confusing your brain into thinking you’re moving when you’re not.
• It usually triggers brief but intense dizziness when you move your head in certain ways (rolling over in bed, looking up, bending down).

2. Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis

• These are inner ear infections that cause inflammation, affecting your balance.
• Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and trouble focusing your vision.
• Unlike BPPV, this type of vertigo can last for hours or even days.

3. Meniere’s Disease

• A chronic condition caused by fluid buildup in the inner ear.
• Symptoms come in episodes and include vertigo, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.

4. Vestibular Migraines

• A type of migraine that affects the balance system, causing dizziness along with or without a headache.
• Often triggered by stress, dehydration, caffeine, or certain foods.

5. Cervicogenic Vertigo (Neck-Related Vertigo)

• Caused by poor posture, neck stiffness, or injury (like whiplash).
• Often happens when neck movement triggers dizziness, along with neck pain and muscle tension.

Now that we know why vertigo happens, let’s talk about what actually works to get rid of it.

How to Cure or Manage Vertigo

The right treatment depends on what’s causing your vertigo. Here are the most effective ways to stop the dizziness, based on the type of vertigo you’re dealing with.

1. The Epley Maneuver (For BPPV – The Quick Fix)

If your vertigo is caused by BPPV, the Epley maneuver is one of the fastest ways to fix it. This is a simple set of head movements that reposition the loose crystals in your inner ear, often stopping vertigo in just a few minutes.

A physical therapist can guide you through this safely:

1. Sit upright and turn your head 45 degrees to the affected side.
2. Lie back quickly so your head is slightly tilted backward. Hold for 30 seconds.
3. Turn your head 90 degrees to the other side and hold for 30 seconds.
4. Roll onto your side in the same direction, looking at the floor. Hold for 30 seconds.
5. Slowly sit up and wait a few minutes before standing.

2. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT – Retraining Your Balance System)

For vertigo caused by vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, or chronic dizziness, a structured vestibular rehab program is one of the best long-term solutions.

A physical therapist will use exercises to help your brain retrain its balance system. These may include:

• Gaze Stabilization Exercises – Training your eyes to focus properly while your head moves.
• Balance Exercises – Standing on one foot, walking on uneven surfaces, or moving your head while walking.
• Habituation Exercises – Gradually exposing yourself to movements that trigger dizziness, helping your brain adjust over time.

Studies show that vestibular therapy can significantly improve vertigo symptoms, especially for people with chronic dizziness or inner ear disorders.

3. Treating Cervicogenic (Neck-Related) Vertigo

If your dizziness is coming from your neck, the best treatment isn’t medication—it’s fixing your posture and muscle tension.

A physical therapist can help by:

• Releasing tension in the neck muscles through manual therapy.
• Improving posture to reduce strain on your balance system.
• Strengthening the deep neck muscles to support proper head alignment.
• Teaching movement retraining to reduce dizziness triggered by neck motion.

Many people don’t realize their neck is the real problem until they start physical therapy and notice a major improvement.

4. Hydration and Diet Changes (For Meniere’s Disease and Vestibular Migraines)

Some vertigo types, like Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraines, are triggered by fluid retention, food sensitivities, or dehydration.

Things that can help:

• Identify food triggers – Certain foods (like chocolate, processed meats, or aged cheese) can trigger vestibular migraines.
• Drink more water – Dehydration can worsen dizziness.
• Reduce salt intake – High salt can contribute to fluid buildup in the inner ear.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol – Both can make vertigo worse.

What Doesn’t Work To Cure Vertigo?

Not everything you hear about vertigo treatment is effective. Here’s what doesn’t actually fix the problem:

• Just waiting it out – While some types of vertigo resolve on their own, many need active treatment to improve.
• Over-reliance on medication – Some medications can help with symptoms but won’t actually cure vertigo. They’re best used short-term.
• Avoiding movement – Avoiding head movements can make vertigo worse because your brain needs to adjust to movement, not avoid it.
• Trying random home remedies without knowing the cause – If you don’t know what’s causing your vertigo, you might be trying the wrong treatment. That’s why seeing a physical therapist or vestibular specialist is key.

FAQ’s

Conclusion: Should You See a Physical Therapist for Vertigo?

If vertigo is disrupting your life, the right treatment can make all the difference.

• If you have BPPV, a quick maneuver can cure it in minutes.
• If you have chronic dizziness, vestibular rehab can retrain your brain to stop the spinning.
• If you have neck-related vertigo, postural corrections and muscle therapy can be the missing piece.

You don’t have to live with vertigo. A physical therapist can help you get back to feeling steady, confident, and in control.

If you’re ready to stop the spinning and get your balance back – let’s work together to help return you to life!  Get in touch here when you fill out our quick form or give us a call at 360-474-3274.

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Andrew Vertson

Physical Therapist at Intecore Physical Therapy

Andrew received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from California State University, Fresno in 1991. He then earned his Master’s degree of Physical Therapy in 1996 and his Doctorate degree of Physical Therapy in 2002 from Loma Linda University. In 1996 he also earned his Certification as an Athletic Trainer. He has also completed extensive post-graduate course work in orthopedic manual therapy through Kaiser-West Los Angeles and the Ola Grimsby Institute.

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