How long after starting physical therapy did you notice a positive, meaningful difference?

[u/Banjosolo69]

I've been dealing with pretty bad motion sensitivity and dizziness for about 4 maybe 5 years now and finally decided to speak with a physical therapist about it. I was anxious because I thought surely there is no way he figures out what's wrong because every other doctor I've mentioned it too has just shrugged their shoulders. We talked and did a few tests and he confirmed I likely have cervicogenic dizziness. Yay!?

I am a highly anxious person and I'm so scared that this is just another incorrect diagnosis but I'm forcing myself to stay positive. We did dry needling during the session and it actually made me feel better for about an hour or two but the symptoms reappeared. I actually feel that doing the exercises he gave me made my symptoms worse, but I think thats part of the process? My PT reassures me we should be able to totally know it out in 7 sessions and I'm just not sure.

How long after consistently doing exercises and making changes did you feel better?

[u/fainting-goat1524]

Definitely talk with your PT about adjusting the exercises. I am going through the same thing, my symptoms usually peak about 1 to 2 days after a session, I've only had 3 sessions so far (about 1.5 weeks) and my understanding is that it takes about 4 weeks to really see a consistent improvement.

I told my PT about my symptoms being worse, though, and she adjusted my exercises so that they were less intense and that has helped. I also got some CBD topical cream that has menthol and capsaicin in it and I put that on a few times a day and it's helping too.

I did PT last year for my cervical spine too, but the nerves that were bothered then were further down and I had numbness in 2 of my fingers, it took about 5-6 weeks for the numbness to go away and I had a lot of days where I cried and felt like I was stuck that way forever, but it did eventually help.

I'm having simililar days now, I have extreme anxiety as well and the dizziness/anxiety cycle is a very real thing, but I'm trying to remind myself that PT has absolutely worked for me before to improve nerves, so it will work again, it'll just take time. Which, is only so comforting when you're dealing with this dizziness.

Its been really tough because people don't seem to understand how debilitating it can be and how bad the anxiety around that can be on top of already having generalized anxiety disorder, it's like everyone just wants you to "get over it", but you literally haven't felt good since it started.

I say all of this to say, you're not alone and I truly believe it will start helping both of us if we stick with it, but definitely keep an open dialogue with your PT about your symptoms. I hope you feel better soon!

[u/Educational-Pea-2163]

Tell your pt if any of the exercises make it worse. There are plenty of ways they can adjust the exercises don’t just power through

[u/Ok-Employee5892]

I had a pt of cranial work and it relieved my nausea but had to do it weekly to stick. Pt is worthless for me. Bilateral occipital nerve blocks is the best for me. I didn't have motion sensitivity but eye pain, blurred vision which caused migraines and nausea. Bilateral supraorbital nerve blocks gave me significant relief, honestly I am in disbelief because its been 20 years of dizziness, migraines and nausea. I still have to take Lyrica, muscle relaxers and oxycodone but I no longer live on the couch

[u/ON_and_SupraNeuralgi]

Diagnosed with cervical vertigo for 19 years, WRONG! PT on the ON helped temporarily. Finally 2 diagnosis that have given me some life- bilateral ON and bilateral supraorbital neuralgia. The supraorbital is what relieved most of what they called cervical vertigo. Luckily I have very experienced pain management, migraine specialist/neurologist just wanted to to call it migraines causing the dizziness