Balance and vertigo care in Southport
Balance issues, dizziness and vertigo
Feeling unsteady, dizzy or like the room is spinning can be unsettling. Balance relies on several body systems working together, and we assess each carefully before discussing whether care at our clinic is appropriate.
Understanding your symptoms
Good balance depends on your eyes, your inner ear, and constant feedback from your joints, muscles and spine. Your brain blends all of this information — and the information coming from your body's movement and position — to keep you upright and steady as you move.
When part of that system is not working well — for example, when movement in the neck is restricted or altered after injury, or when the balance organs of the inner ear are involved — the brain can receive conflicting information, which may be experienced as dizziness, unsteadiness or vertigo. Spinal function and the way you move play an important role in this picture, which is why we assess how your spine and body are moving, not just where the symptoms appear.
One common inner-ear cause of vertigo is BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) — brief episodes of spinning brought on by changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed or looking up. BPPV can be diagnosed with specific positional testing, and in many cases it responds well to treatment. We diagnose and treat BPPV at our clinic, and we also consider the spinal and movement-related contributors that can sit alongside it.
Not all dizziness comes from the spine or inner ear, and some causes need medical assessment first. Our clinicians take the time to work out what is appropriate for you, explain our findings, and refer you when another cause is more likely.
What to expect
Your first visit starts with a conversation about your symptoms, health history and goals. We then assess the areas that may be contributing to the problem and explain what we find.
- A detailed discussion of your symptoms, including when they occur and what brings them on
- Specific positional testing to assess for BPPV where indicated
- Assessment of neck movement, posture and how your body moves overall
- Balance and movement testing appropriate to your presentation
- An explanation of what we find, and whether treatment, referral or further investigation is appropriate
Care may include
Recommendations are based on your assessment and preferences. If care at our clinic is not appropriate, we will explain the next step and refer you when needed.
Common questions about balance and vertigo
What is BPPV?
BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It is one of the most common causes of vertigo — brief episodes of a spinning sensation triggered by changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed, bending down or looking up. It happens when tiny crystals that normally sit in one part of the inner ear move into another part, disturbing the balance organs.
Can BPPV be treated at your clinic?
Yes. We diagnose BPPV with specific positional testing, and in many cases it responds well to treatment that repositions the crystals in the inner ear. We will confirm what is appropriate for you at your assessment, and refer you if another cause is more likely.
What does the spine have to do with balance?
Your spine and the muscles around it constantly send your brain information about your body's position and movement, and the neck in particular is heavily involved in this feedback. Restricted or altered movement in the spine — especially after injury or periods of stiffness — can contribute to unsteadiness or dizziness in some people. Assessing and improving spinal movement is often part of a balance care plan.
Do I need a referral to be assessed for dizziness or vertigo?
No referral is needed to book an assessment at our clinic. During your first visit we take a detailed history and perform appropriate testing, and we will tell you clearly if we believe medical assessment or referral is the right next step.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent medical care for sudden severe dizziness with new weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, double vision or loss of vision, severe headache, chest pain, fainting, or dizziness following significant head injury. These can signal something that needs immediate medical attention.
Ready to talk with our team?
Book an appointment online or call us on (07) 5531 1434.