Caitlin Bennett, DPT, Physical Therapy for BPPV, Balance, and Dizziness

Are you, or someone you know, currently experiencing symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or nausea? Not sure how to get the right help? Then you do not want to miss out on this episode! Our guest today, Caitlin Bennett, is a physical therapist who specializes in the niche area of vestibular and neurological physical therapy. We’ve had Caitlin on the show before to talk about vestibular disorders. However, we take a closer look and discuss them in more depth today. We talk about three specific disorders she commonly sees and the ones people often have the most questions about. We dive into what these three disorders are, how they are diagnosed, treated, and the prognosis associated with each. Caitlin is incredibly knowledgeable about all types of vestibular disorders and does a fantastic job explaining more about them and bringing awareness because, as she passionately says, you do not have to live like that! Don’t miss out on this jam-packed episode, so tune in now!  

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to our topic today.
• Caitlin tells us about Benign Proximal Positional Vertigo or BPPV.
• The definition of vertigo: a symptom associated with BPPV.
• She talks about the cause of BPPV and the inner ear's anatomy.
• How vertigo differs from lightheadedness or general disequilibrium.
• She expands on the frequency, duration, and recurrence of BPPV.
• How BPPV is diagnosed and treated and the prognosis associated with it. 
• More about the recurrence of BPPV.
• Unilateral hypofunction or unilateral vestibular hypofunction, and what it entails.
• The most common causes of unilateral hypofunction.
• How vestibular rehab can improve equilibrium, balance, and overall movement confidence.
• The importance of strength training in vestibular rehab for unilateral hypofunction.
• Caitlin explains the process of habituation. 
• The difference between vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis.
• How to diagnose unilateral hypofunction, either with an ENT or physical therapist.
• Caitlin shares the prognoses of treatment for unilateral [vestibular] hypofunction.
• The next vestibular disorder: Cervicogenic dizziness.
• What characterizes cervicogenic dizziness in the clinical syndrome.
• How it’s diagnosed as a diagnosis of exclusion (and what that means).
• Caitlin explains what happens with cervicogenic dizziness.
• More on the process of diagnosing cervicogenic dizziness.
• The treatment related to cervicogenic dizziness and what to look for when planning treatment.
• Why this disorder often doesn’t happen by itself (but can be accompanied by BPPV or unilateral hypofunction).
• The importance of getting the help you need, you don’t have to live with these symptoms.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

CarolinaRehab.com

Dr. Caitlin Bennett PT, DPT on Instagram

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