Have you ever rolled over in bed, looked up, or laid down — and suddenly the entire room started spinning?

In this episode of What’s in Your Head: Tools for Pain & Dizziness, Dr. Pete Schultz, Doctor of Physical Therapy, breaks down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — causes of vertigo: BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).

BPPV can feel intense and alarming, often sending people to urgent care or the emergency room fearing something serious is wrong with their brain. The good news is that BPPV is not life-threatening, it’s very common, and when identified correctly, it’s highly treatable.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between vertigo and dizziness
• How the inner ear and vestibular system actually work
• Why the room spins with certain head movements
• What happens when inner ear crystals move into the wrong canal
• The different types of BPPV (posterior, horizontal, and anterior canal)
• Why one maneuver doesn’t work for everyone
• Why YouTube videos don’t always fix vertigo — and can sometimes make it worse
• A simple 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise to help calm the nervous system when vertigo triggers panic

This episode focuses on helping you understand what’s happening in your body — and reassuring you that vertigo is often a mechanical problem, not brain damage or something dangerous.

If you or someone you care about has experienced spinning, dizziness, or balance issues, this episode will help you better understand what’s going on and what actually helps.

🔗 Helpful Links

Schedule a Vestibular Therapy or Physical Therapy Appointment:
👉 https://www.DynamicSportsPT.com

Learn more about pain, dizziness, and the nervous system:
👉 https://www.PainandDizzy.com

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are experiencing ongoing, worsening, or concerning symptoms, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for individualized evaluation and treatment.