17/03/2026
🌪️ What is Vertigo? (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
Ever rolled over in bed or looked down and suddenly felt like the room was spinning? You may have experienced BPPV, one of the most common causes of vertigo.
BPPV is a condition affecting the inner ear, often causing:
• Sudden dizziness
• A spinning sensation (vertigo)
• Nausea
• Brief episodes triggered by certain head movements
These episodes usually last seconds to minutes and often occur when rolling in bed, looking up, or bending down.
🦻 Why Does It Happen?
Inside your inner ear are tiny calcium crystals that normally sit in a structure called the utricle.
Sometimes these crystals become dislodged and move into one of the semicircular canals (the structures that help control balance).
When this happens, the crystals disrupt the normal movement of fluid in the canals, sending incorrect signals to your brain — which makes it feel like the room is spinning even when you’re still.
👥 Who Gets BPPV?
BPPV can occur at any age, but it’s more common in older adults. It may also be linked to:
• Head trauma
• Inner ear infections
• Migraines
• Diabetes
• Prolonged head positions
• Reduced blood flow
Often, it occurs without any obvious cause.
🩺 How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapists can perform specific vestibular tests to determine whether your dizziness is caused by BPPV.
If confirmed, treatment involves guided head-positioning manoeuvres that help move the crystals out of the semicircular canals and back where they belong.
Common treatments include:
• Epley manoeuvre
• Lempert manoeuvre (BBQ roll)
• Half Somersault technique
The good news?
✨ Most people experience significant improvement within 1–3 sessions, often combined with simple home exercises.
⚠️ When to Seek Medical Advice
If your dizziness is constant, not related to head movement, or accompanied by symptoms such as:
• Vision disturbances
• Hearing loss
• Blackouts
• Severe headaches
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Facial numbness
You should seek medical attention immediately.
✅ Who Should I Book With?
All of our Physiotherapy team at 4Lane Physiotherapy are experienced in assessing and treating BPPV and other causes of dizziness.
📞 Call 9756 7424 or book online today.
