One of my patients once described vertigo as “feeling like I’m on a merry-go-round I never asked to ride.” That’s exactly what vertigo feels like—spinning, tilting, or losing your footing even when you’re standing still. It can make simple things like walking across the room or driving your car feel impossible.
The encouraging part is this: in many cases, vertigo can be stopped with targeted treatments, and physical therapy is one of the best places to start.
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What is vertigo, really?
People often confuse vertigo with dizziness. Dizziness can mean feeling lightheaded, faint, or a little “off.” Vertigo is different, it’s the distinct sensation that the room is spinning around you or that your body is moving when it isn’t.
This spinning sensation happens because your balance system is out of sync. Normally, your brain gets information from your eyes, inner ears, and muscles/joints to know where your body is in space. When one part of that system—usually the inner ear—sends the wrong signals, your brain gets confused, and the result is vertigo.
I like to compare it to a GPS. If your GPS says you’re turning left when you’re really driving straight, it’s disorienting. Vertigo works the same way – your brain is getting bad “navigation data” from your balance system.
Why does vertigo happen?
The most common cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). With BPPV, tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear (called otoconia) move into the wrong place. When you turn your head a certain way—like rolling over in bed—those crystals shift and trigger the spinning sensation.
Other causes include:
- Inner ear infections (vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis): These inflame the balance nerve, making signals to the brain unreliable.
- Migraines: For some people, migraines disrupt the vestibular system and cause repeated vertigo episodes.
- Head injuries: A concussion or trauma can physically disturb the delicate structures of the inner ear.
- Neurological conditions: In rare cases, vertigo can be linked to something more serious, which is why it’s important to be properly evaluated.
What’s key to know is that vertigo isn’t always permanent, and identifying the cause is the first step toward stopping it.
How to stop vertigo
This is the part people are most eager to know: can vertigo be cured quickly? Sometimes, yes.
For BPPV, the gold standard treatment is the Epley maneuver.
This is a series of carefully guided head and body movements a physical therapist does with you. The goal is to gently move those crystals back into their proper place. Many patients feel almost immediate relief after the first session. Others may need a few treatments, but the success rate is very high.
For other types of vertigo, the solution is usually vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). VRT is a customized program of exercises designed to retrain your brain to make sense of balance signals again. Exercises may include moving your eyes and head in specific patterns, practicing balance tasks, and gradually exposing yourself to movements that trigger symptoms until your system adapts.
How vertigo affects daily life
Vertigo can be truly life-changing.
I’ve had patients who were afraid to drive, couldn’t sleep on one side of their body, or avoided exercise altogether because of fear of triggering the spinning. Some even developed anxiety about leaving the house, worried an episode would hit in public.
The ripple effect can be huge. When you can’t move confidently, you start moving less. Less movement means weaker muscles, tighter joints, and a greater risk of falls.
How to manage Vertigo at home
If you’re waiting for an appointment or dealing with a flare-up, there are some things you can do at home to keep yourself safe and minimize symptoms:
- Move slowly when changing positions—especially rolling in bed or standing up quickly.
- Sit or lie down as soon as you feel spinning start, to avoid falling.
- Stay hydrated, since dehydration can worsen dizziness.
- Manage stress and fatigue, which can make vertigo more frequent.
These tips won’t fix vertigo completely, but they can help reduce how disruptive it feels until you get the right treatment.
FAQ: How to Stop Vertigo
What is the fastest way to cure vertigo?
If the cause is BPPV, the Epley maneuver is usually the fastest way to find relief. A physical therapist can safely guide you through it. Many people notice an improvement within one or two sessions.
What triggers vertigo attacks?
Vertigo attacks are often triggered by certain head movements, like rolling over in bed, tilting your head back, or bending forward. Triggers can also include stress, dehydration, and fatigue.
How long does vertigo usually last?
It depends on the cause. A single BPPV episode may last seconds to minutes, but the attacks can repeat until treated. Inner ear infections may cause vertigo that lingers for days. If your vertigo keeps coming back, it’s important to see a professional.
When to worry about vertigo?
Get medical help right away if vertigo comes on suddenly and is severe, or if it’s accompanied by double vision, slurred speech, weakness, or numbness. These can be signs of something more serious, like a stroke.
Final Thoughts
Vertigo is one of those conditions that feels overwhelming when you’re in the middle of it—but the good news is, it’s often highly treatable.
Whether it’s guiding crystals back into place with the Epley maneuver or using vestibular rehabilitation to retrain your balance system, physical therapy offers safe, proven ways to stop the spinning.
If vertigo is keeping you from living confidently, please get in touch with us here by filling out our quick form, or by calling us at: (360) 474-3274
We’re here to help return you to life!
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