Living with Dizziness? Here’s What Your Body May Be Telling You
Have you ever stood up too quickly and immediately felt unsteady? Or rolled over in bed, only to feel as if the room was spinning around you?
Dizziness can cause a wide range of alarming sensations that make it hard to work, drive, or even perform simple day-to-day tasks. And for many of the patients at Moore Myoworx, these symptoms are often part of a larger pattern of chronic health challenges.
The good news is that persistent dizziness and vertigo usually have clear, identifiable causes, which means they can be managed with targeted, comprehensive care so you can get back to feeling like yourself again.
Dizziness and Vertigo: What’s the Difference?
Many people use the terms dizziness and vertigo interchangeably, but they’re actually two different (although related) things.
Dizziness is a broad term that describes several sensations, including feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or off-balance. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that creates the false sensation that you or your surroundings are moving when no movement is occurring. It can also be accompanied by nausea or motion sensitivity.
Neither dizziness nor vertigo is a condition in and of itself. They’re symptoms of an underlying issue.
Why Do These Symptoms Develop?
Vestibular Dysfunction
Your vestibular system is the part of your body that controls balance and spatial awareness. Structures in your inner ear work with your eyes, muscles, and joints to send input to your brain, which processes the information and allows you to stay upright.
When communication between these systems becomes disrupted, dizziness or vertigo can occur. One of the most common examples is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become displaced into the balance canals, sending false movement signals to the brain.
Neck Dysfunction
The neck contains specialized sensors that help the brain understand head position. Injuries or chronic muscle tension can distort these signals, contributing to symptoms such as headaches, balance challenges, and feelings of disorientation.
Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome
Dizziness is often a sign of a concussion, as the injury can temporarily disrupt how the brain, vestibular system, and neck communicate and work together. This can create ongoing problems with balance, concentration, visual tracking, and movement tolerance.
Chronic Pain and Nervous System Changes
Persistent pain can affect how the nervous system processes information. In some cases, the brain might become more sensitive to movement, visual stimulation, or changes in position. As a result, you might experience dizziness or vertigo even when no structural damage is present.
A Whole-Person Approach to Addressing Dizziness and Vertigo
At Moore Myoworx, our goal is to determine the underlying factors causing your dizziness and vertigo so you can find long-term relief. We’ll start with a comprehensive assessment to identify your specific factors, symptom triggers, and overall concerns.
We recognize that no two patients experience dizziness in exactly the same way. That’s why we’ll work closely with you to create a highly individualized care plan that pulls from a range of treatment techniques, including:
- Neuromuscular therapy to address muscle tension, trigger points, and soft tissue restrictions that may contribute to dizziness and balance problems.
- Manual therapy techniques to improve mobility and function in areas that may be affecting movement and symptom control.
- Vestibular therapy to help retrain the body’s balance system by improving communication between the brain, eyes, and inner ear.
- Concussion rehabilitation for patients experiencing persistent dizziness, headaches, brain fog, or balance issues following a head injury.
- Balance and movement retraining to help you feel steadier and more comfortable during daily activities.
- Patient education and home exercise programs that encourage active participation in recovery and support long-term progress between visits.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Balance
Sudden spells of dizziness or vertigo can often occur when you least expect them, such as in a crowded grocery store or while you’re out on a walk. If they’re severe enough, you might even find yourself staying home to avoid the risk of falling and injuring yourself.
Our team wants you to know that you don’t have to live with these symptoms. Regardless of the reason they may have developed, effective treatment options are available at Moore Myoworx. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started with a custom care plan to get you back on your feet!
Sources: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001432.htm, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2021.718318/full
Why Does Balance Change as We Age?
Have you noticed that you feel a little less steady than you once did? Maybe stairs are a lot more intimidating, or you find yourself feeling unsteady when you try to whip around a corner.
It’s not your imagination: growing older often brings new balance challenges. Several systems work together to keep you steady, and age-related changes in any of these systems can affect your balance, which in turn increases your risk of falling. However, there are plenty of ways the Moore Myoworx team can help you strengthen these systems, reduce your fall risk, and improve your stability!
Four Ways Getting Older Affects Balance
1. You experience changes in muscle mass and power.
- Age-related decline in muscle mass and rapid muscle power, particularly in the legs and core, can make it harder to react quickly enough to catch yourself during a slip or stumble.
2. Your vestibular system changes.
- Getting older can affect the sensory and nerve function of the inner ear, increasing your risk of vestibular challenges.
3. Your joint mobility decreases.
- Stiff joints can impair coordination and movement control, affecting your walking patterns.
4. Your eyes aren’t as good as they used to be.
- Age-related vision changes can make it more difficult to judge distances and navigate uneven surfaces.
Moore Myoworx is Here to Help
The good news is that many balance-related issues can improve with targeted treatment. Our team will work with you to identify the specific factors contributing to your instability and create a personalized care plan designed to improve stability, movement confidence, and overall function.
If concerns about balance are keeping you from living life to the fullest, contact us today to schedule an evaluation. We’ll help you stay active, steady, and independent!
“Thank you Moore Myoworx“
“Amazing! Changed my life! Thank you so much to everyone at Moore MyoWorx with a special shout out to Taylor.
The care and treatment I received for my two-week intensive care for post concussion syndrome was nothing short of amazing.
Prior to going there I was getting nowhere with my recovery. After even the first day at Moore MyoWorx I began to feel better. After the two weeks I was well on my way to a full recovery.
I continue to work with a cognitive therapist as brain injury takes time. I also continue to do the physical therapy as a maintenance plan; however, I now have my life back. Much gratitude to all of you at MyoWorx. I would recommend anyone suffering the effects of a brain injury to give their clinic a try.”
– Denise
Exercise of the Month
Neck Glide
(Neck)
Stand tall with your shoulders relaxed and your head in a neutral position. Gently draw your head straight backward, keeping your chin level, like you’re trying to make a double chin. Avoid tilting your head up or down. Hold briefly, then return to the starting position. 3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: none)
Our Mission & Purpose
At Moore Myoworx Denver, we believe that true healing happens when you’re seen, supported, and empowered, not just treated. Rooted in our core values of Providing Relief, Restoring Hope, Imparting Knowledge, and Empowering Patients, our mission is to walk alongside you in your recovery journey, every step of the way. We aim not just to address symptoms, but to restore your well-being so you can reclaim your life.
We are proud to share that 90% of our patients experience an improvement of 62% over 6 treatments. That’s what our approach, expertise, and commitment to you are all about.
If you’ve experienced the difference Moore Myoworx has made, we hope you’ll consider sharing us with your friends or family who might benefit. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone else find hope, healing, and a path forward.
Cherry Cheesecake Icebox Cake
The ultimate no bake dessert for warm weather gatherings. Layers of cream cheese, whipped cream and sweet cherry pie filling alternate with crisp graham crackers for a treat that tastes like cheesecake but requires none of the work.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fresh or frozen cherries, preferably a mix of tart and sweet
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 tsp. cornstarch
- 12 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
- 9 graham cracker sheets, divided
Instructions:
- In a medium pot over medium-high heat, bring cherries, granulated sugar, water, and cornstarch to a simmer. Cook, mashing down on cherries, until bubbling and thick, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Transfer 1 1/4 cups cherry compote to a food processor and process until mostly smooth, about 1 minute. Pour blitzed cherry compote into a small bowl and refrigerate until cold. (You should have about 1 cup.) Transfer unblitzed cherry compote to a medium container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt until light and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cream and beat on low speed until smooth. Continue to add cream, 1/2 cup at a time, beating until incorporated before adding the next, until all cream is used. Increase speed to high and beat until light, fluffy, and stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes more.
- Line an 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ loaf pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on all sides. Line bottom of pan with 3 sheets of graham crackers, breaking ends as needed to fit and using trimmings to fill pan. Spread 1 cup cheesecake mixture on top. Top with 1/2 cup blitzed cherry compote, then carefully dollop with another 1 cup cheesecake mixture, spreading with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to avoid the layers merging. Add another layer of graham crackers, then repeat layers of cheesecake, blitzed cherry compote, and cheesecake; reserve any remaining cheesecake (cover and refrigerate until ready to use). Top with remaining graham cracker sheets.
- Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- Remove top layer of plastic wrap from top of cake. Place a rectangular platter upside down on top of pan, then invert pan. Remove pan and peel off plastic wrap.
- Frost top and sides of cake with reserved cheesecake mixture. Top with unblitzed cherry compote.
Discover a New Path to Better Balance
Living with persistent dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness is alarming, exhausting, and can make daily life feel unpredictable. It’s important to know that these sensations are a very real response to a breakdown in communication within your body’s balance systems, and with the right personalized care, you can find long-term relief.
At Moore Myoworx, our goal is to help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms, retrain your vestibular system, and help you feel safer and more confident moving again. If you’re ready to stop worrying about falling and get back to your daily routines without hesitation, our team is here to support your recovery.
Schedule your initial appointment today and take the first step toward feeling steady, active, and like yourself again.
