September 14th-20th, 2025 is Balance Awareness Week.

-Vertigo is a symptom that is described as a person’s external world spinning or moving around them.  While vertigo is commonly described as a disorder in itself, it can actually be a symptom of many different problems that could be affecting a person’s inner ear or nervous system.  The inner ear senses where we are in space by communicating with the brain, and when there is a disruption in that pathway, it can cause a sense of vertigo.

-According to a study published in the National Institute of Health, 1 in 5 adults will experience vertigo, at least occasionally.  And according to the University of California San Francisco, 40% of adults will experience vertigo at least once, women being slightly more affected than men.

-Vertigo can be caused by many different disorders, including an inner ear infection, concussion, brain injury or lesion, stroke, or migraine, to name a few.  The most common cause of vertigo is something called BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.  This is when tiny crystals in the inner ear which are supposed to be in one part of the inner ear and help us sense our body’s movements, become dislodged from where they belong and float into fluid filled canals.  This gives our brain an “error message” that we are spinning, when we actually are not!

-Because vertigo can have many different causes, it is best to see your doctor right away to determine the cause.  Many causes of vertigo can be treated by getting referred to physical therapy!  PT’s can work with people on improving their inner ear function, balance, and getting you back to the activities you love.

PT’s at Active Physical Therapy in Marquette and Ishpeming can help you get back to life when experiencing vertigo.  For more information you can head to our website at www.stayactiveup.com!