If you are someone who is experiencing vertigo and you are looking to find a vertigo doctor who is skilled and qualified to help you, then you are not alone.
Two Online Directories to Find a Vertigo Doctor in Your Area
Vestibular.org
You can use the Healthcare Provider Directory at the Vestibular Disorders Association, vestibular.org. You can search for a vertigo doctor by zip code, or by city and state. They list vestibular healthcare providers by specialty type as well.
All the professionals on that website have joined the Association as claiming to be Vestibular professionals. All members pay annual dues to be part of this directory.
Although there is no formal process to check on the validity of the credentials or quality of care provided by those who sign up, I would recommend that directory as a resource to find a Vertigo Doctor in your area.
NeuroPT.org
You can search to find a provider on the map of Vestibular Physical Therapists who have signed up to be listed on the map on NeuroPT.org.
This map has members of the Vestibular Special Interest Group, within the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
To access the APTA Vestibular Physical Therapy (PT) Provider map, click here.
Similar to the Vestibular Disorders Association, there is no formal process to check out providers who register as providers on this APTA Vestibular PT map. There are very expensive annual dues to remain part of this professional association.
Vestibular Physical Therapy Can Treat Vertigo
Vestibular Physical Therapy offers Evaluation and Treatment for Vertigo without Medications
I usually recommend that people with vertigo plan on ultimately seeking out physical therapy, and here is why.
Physicians usually serve to diagnose and medicate vertigo complaints; whereas, physical therapists seek to resolve the vertigo complaints and restore normal daily functioning.
In California where I practice, the direct access law allows patients to seek physical therapy without seeing a physician for a referral. That is why many of my patients come straight to my practice once they get vertigo.
Direct access to vestibular physical therapy can prevent significant delays in appropriate care, reliance on inappropriate medications, and unnecessary diagnostic tests that are often experienced by patients with vertigo.
If you are not able to find a vertigo doctor who can help you get relief, I highly recommend vestibular physical therapy.
I highly suggest that you read online reviews from other patients for any provider you might select from an online directory. If you want more tips on Choosing the Right Healthcare provider, check out this blog.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
I am in Northern Oklahoma searching for a specialist for my Vertigo attacks. Do you have a suggestion for one in my area?
Hi Linda,
I am sorry that I do not personally know any vertigo doctors in your area.
However, I hope you are able to search the APTA Map of Vestibular Physical therapists and the Provider Directory on Vestibular.org to locate someone close to you.
Did you click on those links in the blog you commented on?
I just typed Oklahoma into the Directory Search at Vestibular.org and there are some listed in Oklahoma. They might be a long drive though.
Below are some of the listings I found. You can call them to find out if they accept your insurance.
[This reply has been edited to remove the names and contact info of providers that were located in your area after they were visible for over six months, in case their information has changed. Please perform a search at Vestibular.org to find updated provider contact information.]
Best wishes!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
hi i live in ind. i alway hiking taking natural photos but now. i feel handycaped i do none of tye dentist’s i talk to even know what i am saying im not scared to have them all removed. i do want some relief yhe 5th of july is soon i like to walk down and see it. or evenjoy some summer i do not know what yo do now. im very scared. please help me.
Hi Christopher,
I have emailed you directly with some helpful resources about dizziness.
You should definitely report your symptoms to your primary care doctor and ask for referrals to other specialists as needed.
I hope you can find a local vestibular PT to assess you and treat you in person.
That is the best plan.
I hope you feel better soon.
I am in Sayreville N.J. searching for a specialist for my vertigo.Do you have any person in my area to deal with my situation?
Hi Edwin,
I do not know of anyone specific in your area. However, I can recommend for you to search the two directories that I have linked in the blog to find a provider near you.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Any recommendations for a PT in Portland, Maine?
Hi Polly,
Currently I do not have any suggestions for providers in that area, so I recommend searching the two online directories that I included in the blog to find someone in your geography.
I hope you are able to find someone close to home who is skilled and qualified to treat you.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi there,
I live in Phoenix, AZ & was diagnosed with BPPV back in February but have not successfully responded to any maneuvers or physical therapy treatment. Do you have any recommendations for vertigo specialist in the Phoenix area?
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear what you are going through! I do not have a specific provider in your area that I can recommend.
I have a few additional blogs that might be helpful to you on both VertigoDetective.com and BetterBalanceInLife.com.
You can search key terms and find related content on both of those websites, or use the “blog categories” like BPPV.
Vertigo Home Remedies that Help
If you ever decide you want to travel to San Diego for a week, I would be happy to work with you. You can learn more about my services at BetterBalanceInLife.com.
Unfortunately, I am not able to offer individual medical advice to people outside of California due to the limits of my California state physical therapy license.
I hope the resources I have provided are helpful!
I wish you all the best for a full recovery.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
Hi! Could you give any advice on how to become an independent ot that provides bppv tx? I’ve currently been providing tx in a Home Health setting x 15 years
Hi Joni,
The gold standard for clinicians to improve from beginner to intermediate level Vestibular practice is the Emory University Vestibular competency course. It is not an easy course, so definitely attend a beginner Vestibular course and get some experience before signing up.
To increase to advanced level vestibular practice, I can highly recommend the Clinical Vestibular Competency Certification Course at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
I have taken both of those courses and they were both excellent at the time – and OTs can attend both of those courses.
I’ve also taken other courses excellent Vestibular courses but most of them are only open to PTs.
I hope that helps! Go for it!
By the way, I do talk about these vestibular courses in my new book. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3CtKkRt
Any Dr to help with vertigo in my area? I’m in Charleston WV
Hi Glenda,
I don’t personally know anyone in your area of West Virginia.
The closest clinic I’m personally aware of is at University of Pittsburgh in PA.
I encourage you to use the two online directories that I shared to search for providers closer to home.
Hello – I am looking for a vestibular therapist in the metro-Detroit or Ann Arbor Michigan area.
Hi Stephanie – I suggest for you to use the links I provided in points 2 and 3 to search the online directories and find a provider in your area.
Best wishes
I have had this since 2006, it reoccurs every couple of years now bad to not be able to walk, and I repeat the Epley exercises and usually takes a couple of weeks to subside enough to move around and it is good for a couple more years. Is this normal?
Hi Brenda,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through!
BPPV can certainly recur and should be treated to resolution each time it recurs, so that you are able to participate in your life as soon as possible.
I share some blogs that may be helpful below.
Should I move around with Vertigo?
How can I safely move around with Vertigo?
Vertigo Home Remedies that Help
BPPV treatment: How Does it work?
Should you Treat yourself for BPPV?
5 Reasons why the Epley does not work
BPPV Recurrence: How to Recognize it
BPPV Prevention: Is is Possible?
Vestibular Rehab: What is it?
BPPV can Cause Falls
I hope those resources are helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
I have been experiencing dizziness and balance symptoms for almost 4 months.I am not able to drive. I have Been to an ENT, who prescribed prednisone, this did not provide relief. Saw a physical therapist who I regard highly. She gave me exercises to retrain my brain. Next I started seeing a chiropractor, who said the exercises the PT gave me we’re too much for me. The chiropractor adjusts my neck and has me doing various brain stimulation exercises. I have seen him for two months. Still dizzy. Not sure what to do? I am willing to travel to your clinic. If that’s not an ideal plan for treatment , can you recommend someone in the Vancouver, Washington, Portland Oregon or the greater Seattle area?
Hi Tim,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through!
You can search for a vestibular provider in your area using this article.
If you want to come see me, you can learn about my services on this page and contact me on this page.
Best wishes!
Hello my husband has been getting dizzy spells since last year 1st time last year then now again. Last year hospital told us he has vertigo.
Aloha Dr. Kim, do you happen to know of a vertigo specialist in Honolulu, HI?
Hi Joanne,
No I do not personally know someone I can recommend in that area.
You can search on Vestibular.org and NeuroPT.org.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
I’ve been suffering with vertigo for over 15 years maybe longer. I just can’t take it anymore. I have noticed that anytime I have neck tension or neck pain it triggers vertigo. I’m in Northern California I really can use some help. Dramamine isn’t cutting it anymore. I get episodes that last between 4-6 weeks and comes back again every other month. The most time I didn’t have it was about 4 months. I’ve seen several ENTs they have no answer ls other than the terrible maneuvers that make me even more sick. Please help!!
Hi Vicky,
I am sorry to hear what you are going through!
In this blog, I talk about dizziness from the neck so that may help you with next steps.
Also, I am publishing my first book on vertigo later this year, and I dedicate a whole section to dizziness from the neck.
That is a common problem!
It is called cervicogenic dizziness or cervical vertigo.
You may also need to get a prescription medication from your doctor so you can pre-medicate before vestibular maneuvers. That can help you get through the uncomfortable maneuvers, if you have BPPV causing some of your vertigo.
This blog may help you with how to summarize your condition in a concise way for new providers.
This blog has some home remedies that may help in the meantime.
I hope that information helps. I hope you feel better soon!
Can you suggest a vestibular practitioner anywhere near Thousand Oaks, CA or LA area?
I saw a specialist for vertigo in Phoenix but got no relief.
The Epley maneuver doesn’t work nor does the Foster manuever (half somersault).
Hi Rhonda,
I definitely do not recommend trying to treat yourself for vertigo.
In the Orange County area, I refer to Dr. Howard Mango, Au.D., Ph.D, Founder of Newport-Mesa Audiology. Click here for his website.
Their address is:
NEWPORT BEACH
500 Old Newport Blvd, Suite 101
Newport Beach, CA 92663
I also have a lot of people from LA county and Orange county who travel to see me in coastal Encinitas once a week to complete a vertigo treatment plan, if they cannot find local care providers.
Click here if you want to learn about my services and request a consultation with me.
D0 you know a Dr. in Maryland who specializes in Vertigo and I have most all the symptoms that you have noted . I have had ringing in the ears for several years and the last few days have what i would describe as clicking. it is similar to the ringing sound but happens when make a slight turn in either direction when I am walking around the house. Also one day I was extremely fatigued and around 9pm I felt a feeling of dizzy like symptoms so sat down quickly, put head between my knees and it stopped in about 2 seconds, amazingly the fatigue left immediately. thank you
Hi Mary,
I highly recommend Dr. Michael Schubert, PT, PhD at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Your doctor will have to send a PT referral before you can schedule your consultation with Dr. Schubert.
Please give him my best regards.
I hope you find answers and relief!
Hi Dr. Bell,
In 2019 I was speaking to a friend on the phone and she said I didn’t sound right. I had no idea what she meant. She called 911 and she came over and when I got up off the couch I fell down on the floor in a sitting position. I could not get up on my own but needed to be pulled up. In the hospital they did many tests to rule out stroke and other things. I did not have a stroke.
——————-
Prior to me being in the hospital I had experienced 2 episodes of extreme nausea both in the evening, and at the time this occurred I had been diagnosed with GERD and was on meds for that. But I thought it was related to the GERD. But it wasn’t. A few days later is when I had the incident that led me to hospital.
I was told to see an ophthalmologist, a neurologist, and ent dr when I went home. I saw all the drs and had an MRI
The neurologist told me that my 8th cranial nerve was the culprit and had been damaged in some way.
I went to vestibular balance therapy and completed all the sessions. I also had a hearing test while there. I was told I had Vestibular Hypo Function. I had no crystal problem.
I was given exercises to do at home and have been doing them as instructed for the last 3 hrs.
However, several months ago, I experienced extreme nausea and extreme tiredness and felt so sick with the nausea again and I had the ondansetron for nausea which I took and it did help me thankfully. But for about 6weeks I had no appetite even tho the nausea was dissipating slightly each day. It was horrible and I lost weight. I finally got my appetite back after about 2 months. I had gone to see a neurologist at the time this happened. And I had told him about my previous experience in 2019. There was nothing he could do for me.
The question I have is why did this occur again? I was told by the initial neurologist that it could happen again. And it did. I had read that it rarely occurs again, but there’s a small percentage of people that do get it again. I guess I’m in
that small percentage. Can this keep occurring for me???? It makes me so sick with nausea that it’s horrific.
Hi Dianne,
I am sorry to hear about this!
I am not sure why this happened to you again.
This article discusses a phenomenon called “vestibular decompensation” which can happen to people who are diagnosed with vestibular hypofunction in the past and have undergone vestibular PT.
You may need to go back to a vestibular physical therapist for another round of vestibular PT.
This article discusses the link with reflux and vertigo.
This article discusses reasons to go to ER for vertigo.
I hope you feel better soon!
I was sideswiped on the driver’s side. The outside mirror slammed against the window resulting in the glass exploding a few inches from my left ear. About a week later I began to notice anxiety/tension when driving over bridges or through tunnels accompanied by a sensation of a possible impending event. So, I do not currently drive in those situations. I had previously noticed that long sweeping bends bothered me somewhat, but not like the current situation. Is it possible that I experienced a type of blast concussion that has aggravated my situation ?
Hi Bob,
It is possible you suffered a blast type of concussion or you developed a new onset of BPPV. I think consulting with a vestibular health care provider and/ or a Neurologist is good step for in-depth assessment of these possibilities.
You may have also developed a PTSD type of response. This article discusses that topic.
The treatment plan should be targeted to whatever your providers find during their exam and diagnosis.
You can help them in the diagnostic process by describing your case using the questions I ask in this blog.
I hope you feel better soon!
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hi Dr. Bell. Thank you for your wonderful blog. I have been experiencing an off-kilter feeling, like my equilibrium is just off. Almost like I’m swaying when standing still or reaching for things, etc.
I developed a pulsatile tinnitus 3 years ago about a month after recovering from Covid. Not sure if it’s related.
Had all the tests done, and everything came back normal. I was never “dizzy” or off-balance from the pulsatile tinnitus, it’s just the sound was annoying. It’s not always with me, so I just ignore it now.
BUT, at the time, I was fiddling so much with my ears trying to pop them constantly with the valsalva technique (and doing it really strenuously), thinking I had some sort of eustachian problem. Perhaps around that time, I had a couple of brief true vertigo episodes, but they lasted only 10 seconds.
I wondered if I knocked some crystals out with all of my fiddling. Doctor thought it was BPPV. She basically just said it’s something that goes away, you kind of just have to ignore it. After a couple months (during the summer), I did feel better.
But then in the fall the off-kilter feeling came back. It’s bizarre. I do not feel it when I’m driving, walking, playing pickleball at a very high level (my hand-eye coordination is as good as it was playing college tennis), or moving around quickly doing things.
But I’ll feel a swaying sensation in doing smaller movements. I also feel a split-second head spinning feeling at night when lying down in bed.
I have propped myself up a bit, and it’s not enough to bother me so sleep is fine.
I tried videotaping my eyes and when I zoom in there does appear to be every so slight jerks of my eyes.
My ears have felt different for a couple years now, ever since those spinny incidents, more so on my right ear, almost like a full feeling (it’s hard to describe) and I want to pull on my earlobe to “open” my ear.
My ears feel a tickle sensation sometimes when I lean forward and touch my toes.
My hearing is not muffled at all, but I have some mild hearing loss (with very high-pitched sounds) after having it tested, but that’s hereditary per the ENT.
I started taking Vertisil a few months ago and that seemed to cure it for a couple months.
I thought I had my life back.
But now the sway-y feeling is back again, almost like I’m sitting on kayak in a sea with waves.
I feel like it’s an inner ear issue, and I’m worried that it’s permanent.
I’ve noticed a .25 of Ativan helps it go away for a bit.
It’s so frustrating to live this way.
Just feel like I’m a bobble head and this constant swaying feeling is aggravating.
Do I need to just learn to live with this? Any information is appreciated. Do you do online consultations? I’m female, 46, healthy and trim. Thank you!
Hi Neely,
That is the name of one of my best friends from high school. Love your name!
Unfortunately, I cannot do online consultations because I need to examine all my patients in person. To learn about my consultations for patients who can travel to San Diego, California, get started here.
It sounds like you might benefit from consulting more than one specialty provider to help with your recovery.
To find a vertigo doctor or vestibular PT, you can use this article. They can usually help with any BPPV treatment that you need.
This article discusses vertigo while lying down in bed.
I wrote this article on pulsating dizziness.
This article is on upper cervical dizziness, which is a possible cause of pulsating dizziness, and this article discuses who might be able to help with neck related dizziness.
This article and this article discuss deeper root causes of neck dizziness.
I wrote this article on the interplay of neck treatments and vestibular PT for dizziness.
This article talks about gut-related dizziness, which can contribute to intermittent ear fullness due to high histamines in certain food.
I wrote this very long article on COVID related dizziness.
Hopefully one or more of those free educational resources helps!
I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you for all of the good information regarding vertigo. I have had BPPV for several years, and generally the epley maneuvers did help.
However, I underwent surgery for removal of a paraganglioma in October of 2022. The tumor was very large, and I was cut under my right ear down towards my throat.
I did lose a cranial nerve so my right vocal was paralyzed. I can talk, but not as well as before.
I have recently had vertigo and went to a physical therapist in my area. I had the epley treatments about six times, but constantly feel a little dizzy most of the time now.
I do function okay, but just feel like I’m in a fog most of the time and can’t concentrate as I did before.
I was told a nerve was cut close to the base of my skull, thus my right ear and jaw is numb.
Could this surgery have caused some issues causing these feelings?
Most days I do feel somewhat nauseated and have cut back on what I am eating. I appreciate any advice. Thanks!
Hi Cindy,
I am sorry to hear all this!
I think you are asking all the right questions. I encourage you to direct these excellent questions to your surgeon and the physical therapists who are treating you in person.
Since I have not evaluated you, I am not able to speculate about the answers.
You can ask them all these same questions and ask what to do.
Best wishes!
Hello. Do you happen to know anyone in the SF Bay Area who is well versed in vestibular disorders or problems of the vagus nerve?
Thank you much,
G. M.
Please contact me directly using this page and I will connect you with my colleague in the San Jose area.
Hi, do you know of anyone who could help me in the UK, near London? Thank you
Hi Hannah,
In the UK, you might try the London Vertigo & Dizziness clinic. Click here for their website.
I hope you feel better soon!
Do you have any suggestions for a PT to treat BPPV in Nebraska?
Hi Joyce,
No I am sorry I don’t. I hope you find answers and get relief soon.
I wrote a book to help people who cannot work with me in person.
This is a link to my book on Amazon.