Have you got Positional Vertigo (BPPV)? Physiotherapy Can Help You Feel Steady Again
If you’ve ever felt the room spin when lying down, rolling over in bed, or looking up quickly, you might be experiencing Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV.
It’s one of the most common causes of vertigo, yet it’s often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. The good news? It’s also highly treatable, especially with the help of a trained vestibular physiotherapist.
At Motion Health Rehab, we help patients across Capalaba, Underwood, and surrounding areas get back on their feet – literally – with tailored vestibular rehab for BPPV and other balance conditions.
What Is BPPV?
BPPV is a condition that affects your inner ear, which plays a key role in balance and spatial awareness. Inside the inner ear are tiny crystals (called otoconia) that normally help detect movement. In BPPV, these crystals become dislodged and float into the wrong part of the ear’s balance canal system.
When you move your head into certain positions – like turning over in bed, tilting your head back, or looking down – the misplaced crystals send false signals to your brain, triggering dizziness or spinning.
Symptoms of BPPV
The hallmark symptom of BPPV is brief episodes of vertigo – the sensation that you or the room is spinning – often lasting a few seconds to a minute.
Other symptoms can include:
- Dizziness when lying down, rolling over, or sitting up
- Nausea or mild vomiting
- Unsteadiness or loss of balance
- Anxiety about movement or falling
These episodes are typically position-dependent and come and go based on head movement.
How Is BPPV Diagnosed?
A vestibular physiotherapist can assess BPPV using simple, non-invasive tests such as the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre. This involves guiding your head into specific positions to reproduce symptoms and observe eye movements (nystagmus), which help confirm the diagnosis.
It’s quick, safe, and doesn’t require imaging or medication.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
The most effective treatment for BPPV is a repositioning manoeuvre – most commonly the Epley manoeuvre – which uses a sequence of head and body movements to guide the crystals back into their proper place.
At our clinics in Capalaba and Underwood, our physiotherapists are trained in performing these techniques. In many cases, patients report a significant improvement – or even complete resolution – within 1–3 sessions.
We also provide:
- Education about how to safely manage symptoms
- Follow-up exercises if needed
- Assessment and treatment of any associated conditions like neck pain, headaches and migraines.
What If It’s Not BPPV?
Not all dizziness is BPPV – which is why a proper assessment is key. If your symptoms are caused by another condition, like vestibular neuritis, PPPD, or visual-vestibular mismatch, our team will tailor your rehab accordingly.
We work closely with local GPs and specialists to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.
Get Help for Dizziness in Capalaba or Underwood
At Motion Health Rehab, we have the skills, experience and technology necessary to help you overcome BPPV and other vestibular conditions. Whether your symptoms are recent or long-standing, we’re here to help you feel steady, safe, and confident again.
