This post was written by Kirsten Radke, a physical therapist at Core Physical Therapy.
I want to take a moment to recognize a very specific group of patients: those living with post-COVID symptoms. I am one of two clinically certified vestibular therapists here at Core. We also have Jacob in our Adel clinic.
Increasingly over the past several months I have been evaluating more patients for post-COVID vestibular symptoms. Some of these patients were diagnosed just a few short weeks ago, but many have been suffering for months.
Viral infections are known to commonly affect our inner ear, thus causing changes to occur to our vestibular nerve. This nerve is in charge of helping us balance. It is small but mighty. Inflammation of this system can result in feelings of dizziness, nausea, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, motion sensitivity, tinnitus, and so much more.
Many of my post-COVID “long haulers” have struggled to find their way to a medical provider that can speak their language; it’s hard to explain symptoms you can only feel – you can’t SEE dizziness. For anyone suffering from long or short-term viral vertigo symptoms…I want you to know that you’re not crazy! Your symptoms are real.
Post-COVID studies are just now starting to surface. One systematic review published in the Journal of Audiology reported that of vestibular patients recovering from COVID around 14.8% of patients experienced tinnitus (ringing in the ears), 7.6% have hearing loss, and 7.2% have rotatory vertigo (spinning).
The vestibular therapists here at Core are trained in how to help rehabilitate the balance system and tailor a treatment program specific to your symptoms. Maybe you or someone you know is suffering through post-viral or post-COVID vestibular challenges. Core is here to help!