3 common PPPD symptoms and how PT can help you manage them

Persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a condition where a patient experiences several instances of dizziness, vertigo or balance difficulties. It occurs after an initial event or condition that caused the individual to first feel dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems. Some of these initial events can include a stroke, a migraine, a concussion and a panic attack, just to name a few. It’s still unknown why exactly these conditions can cause the onset of PPPD. Only about 4% of the general population has been diagnosed with this condition. It’s difficult to diagnose through medical testing alone. Diagnoses can usually only be made by a care provider after ruling out all other possible conditions and taking into account the patient’s medical history. Physical therapy can be a useful resource for those dealing with PPPD symptoms.

What are some common PPPD symptoms?

• Chronic dizziness — Dizziness is the most common symptom for those with persistent postural perceptual dizziness. This may be brought on by sudden movement, sudden changes in light exposure, crowded settings, etc. It can happen on more than one occasion. Sometimes, it causes the patient to begin feeling anxious dealing with the factors that prompt their dizziness.

• Lightheadedness when sitting or standing up straight — For some, certain postures like sitting up straight can cause lightheadedness in PPPD patients. This symptom can be due to certain postures but also due to the quickness of a patient’s movement.

• Impaired balance — Another common symptom is impaired balance, which can make it difficult to complete regular activities and functions like walking, driving, and vision. Impaired balance can seriously impact a patient’s mobility. When PPPD isn’t effectively managed, the physical capabilities of patients can quickly become limited.

How can physical therapy help you manage PPPD symptoms?

During a series of several physical therapy sessions, your therapist can help you rebuild the skills you need to return to daily living. Your condition may not be curable, but it can be treated with the right help. Your physical therapist may treat your symptoms through a series of balance, range-of-motion, vision stabilization and gait retraining exercises. These are just four examples of a variety of methods your physical therapist may use to help you manage the symptoms of your condition.

Advent PT wants to help you treat your PPPD symptoms

If you are living with anxiety because of your PPPD symptoms, visit the experienced physical therapy specialists at Advent Physical Therapy. We can perform a series of evaluations, including functional capacity evaluations, to help you build a sustainable health plan and prevent symptoms that interfere with your daily activities.

We offer patient-centered physical therapy services. Every patient has a unique set of needs, and their physical therapy plans should reflect that. A free screening can help us determine the proper treatment course for your individual needs.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.