Do you ever feel dizzy, lightheaded, or just “off”—but the world isn’t spinning when you move? Many people think dizziness is always caused by loose “crystals” in the inner ear, but that’s not always the case. In fact, I often see patients who feel dizzy without any spinning sensation.
What’s Really Going On?
Your inner ear (vestibular system) plays a big role in balance and it works closely with your eyes and brain, through something called the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR). This reflex makes sure that when your head stops moving, your eyes stop moving too.
If this reflex isn’t working properly, your eyes might keep moving slightly after your head stops, which can make you feel dizzy or unsteady.
What Can Cause This?
Several things can throw off your vestibular system, including:
-
Air travel (like after a long flight)
- Dental work
- A bad sinus infection or head cold
- Gradual changes over time
Everyday Situations That Can Make Dizziness Worse
When your eyes and inner ear aren’t working together, certain activities can trigger dizziness. Some patients have told me they feel dizzy when:
-
Walking down grocery store aisles
-
Eating in a noisy restaurant
-
Riding an elevator or escalator
How Can Vestibular Rehab Help?
The good news is that physical therapy can help retrain your brain and body!
Vestibular rehab includes:
- Eye exercises to strengthen the vestibular-ocular reflex
- Balance and walking exercises to improve stability
- Gradual exposure to triggers to help reduce dizziness over time