Understanding BPPV and How Vestibular Therapy Can Help

Active Health & Wellness Clinic – Victoria, BC

When the World Starts Spinning — Literally

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness and can strike without warning. Imagine suddenly feeling like the world is spinning around you, even though you’re standing still. It’s unsettling — but thankfully, it’s also highly treatable.

At Active Health & Wellness Clinic in Victoria, one of our Chiropractors, Dr. Myia Wilkes, DC also is trained in Vestibular Therapy which focuses on diagnosing and treating dizziness and balance disorders like BPPV. Understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step toward regaining your stability and confidence.

What Is BPPV?

BPPV occurs when tiny calcium carbonate crystals — called otoconia — become dislodged from their normal position inside your inner ear. When these crystals migrate into the semicircular canals, they interfere with your body’s balance signals and cause vertigo — the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning.

This disruption leads to confusing messages being sent to your brain about your head’s position and motion, triggering dizziness, nausea, and imbalance.

What Does BPPV Feel Like?

People with BPPV often describe sudden, intense episodes of dizziness or spinning that are triggered by simple movements such as:

• Looking up or down

• Rolling over in bed

• Bending forward

• Turning your head quickly

These episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may happen multiple times a day. The unpredictable nature of BPPV can make normal activities — like driving, exercising, or even getting out of bed — feel daunting.

You might also experience nausea, loss of balance, or lightheadedness after these spinning sensations.

What to Do If You Experience Vertigo

If you experience a sudden dizzy spell:

• Sit or Lie Down: Stay still and safe until the spinning subsides.

• Move Slowly: Avoid quick head turns or sudden changes in position.

• Seek Professional Help: If symptoms persist or worsen, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional who understands vestibular conditions.

At Active Health & Wellness, Dr. Myia Wilkes can assess your symptoms and help determine whether BPPV or another inner ear disorder is the cause.

How Vestibular Therapy Can Help

Vestibular Therapy is a specialized, evidence-based treatment designed to help your brain and inner ear work together again. Our vestibular specialist will use targeted techniques and exercises to retrain your balance system, reduce dizziness, and restore your stability.

What to Expect in Treatment

During your first visit at Active Health, you’ll receive a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms and triggers. Based on this, your therapist may perform:

• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Gentle, guided head and body movements that reposition the dislodged crystals in your inner ear. Research shows that up to 80% of patients find relief after just one or two sessions.

• Education and Prevention: Your therapist will explain what’s happening inside your ear and teach you strategies to manage or prevent recurrences.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While BPPV itself is not dangerous, dizziness can sometimes signal a more serious issue. Seek medical attention right away if you experience:

• Sudden, severe headache

• Vision changes

• Slurred speech

• Weakness or numbness on one side of your body

These symptoms may require urgent care.

Regain Your Balance with Active Health & Wellness Clinic

BPPV and other vestibular disorders can be frustrating, but you don’t have to live with dizziness. Our experienced team at Active Health & Wellness Clinic offers effective, personalized vestibular therapy to help you find your balance again — naturally and safely.

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance, contact us today to schedule your Vestibular Therapy Assessment with Dr. Myia Wilkes, DC today.