Vertigo Treatment in Hamilton, Ontario
If you've experienced a sudden spinning sensation triggered by a change in head position, you may be dealing with BPPV, the most common cause of vertigo.
It can make something as simple as rolling over in bed feel frightening.
The good news is that it's treatable and at Integration Health, our practitioners are trained to diagnose and provide treatment within our Hamilton vertigo clinic and have been helping patients understand and resolve BPPV with hands-on, evidence-informed care.
What is BPPV?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV, is a mechanical problem with the inner ear. Here's what the name actually means:
Benign: It is not life-threatening
Paroxysmal: It comes in sudden, brief spells
Positional: It is triggered by certain head positions or movements
Vertigo: A false sense of rotational movement
BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, and while the spinning sensation can be alarming, it has a well-understood cause and a well-established treatment.
The Two Types of BPPV
There are two variants of BPPV, and treatment differs between them.
With Canalithiasis, the loose crystals move freely in the fluid of the canal. When a change in head position triggers a spell, the crystals stop moving within less than a minute, and the vertigo and associated eye movement (nystagmus) settle shortly after.
When suffering from cupulolithiasis, the crystals are thought to adhere to the bundle of sensory nerves that detect fluid movement. This causes the vertigo and nystagmus to last longer, until the head is moved out of the triggering position.
How is BPPV Treated?
Once your practitioner has identified which type of BPPV you have, they can guide you through the appropriate treatment. BPPV treatment uses gravity to move the displaced crystals back to where they belong through a precise series of head movements called Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers.
Our BPPV Treatment Team
Vertigo Treatment as Part of Multidisciplinary Care
At Integration Health, vertigo treatment is part of a broader clinical team that includes physiotherapists, osteopathic manual practitioners, registered massage therapists, hand therapists, and therapeutic exercise specialists.
While BPPV is often resolved in a small number of appointments, if other contributing factors are identified, our team is available to support further with collaborative care.
Book Vertigo Treatments in Hamilton
Integration Health has been serving Downtown Hamilton, Hamilton Mountain and the surrounding communities for over 65 years.
You shouldn’t have to be afraid to move your head. Let’s fix that.