Vertigo refers to a very specific sensation of spinning, as if you or the room are moving around you (if you've ever had too many cocktails in an evening, it's that unpleasant feeling as soon as you lie down!). Dizziness is broader and can describe many sensations, including feeling ‘off,’ lightheaded, unsteady, foggy, or fatigued. All of these sensations can significantly disrupt daily life and limit routine activities and hobbies. The encouraging news is that both vertigo and dizziness are treatable, and it IS possible to live without these symptoms controlling your life

First, we should stress that dizziness and vertigo are SYMPTOMS. They are not considered a specific diagnosis or disease. There are many reasons why someone might get dizziness and vertigo, from medications to acute conditions to chronic disorders. In fact, dizziness and vertigo symptoms can often be a GOOD thing – they offer a signal that something, somewhere in your brain or body is being challenged. Therefore, we don’t want to get rid of the body’s ability to display these symptoms – they are often protective mechanisms, just like pain. As a result, we don’t want to ‘cure’ them – instead we want to make sure that they are only occurring at the appropriate times, like when there is a true issue!

True 'room-spinning' vertigo is the vestibular system’s way of telling you something is wrong. However, the vestibular system encompasses more than just the inner ear. The main organs of the vestibular system lie behind the hearing bones, but the signals from those organs transmit throughout the nervous system - to the brain, the spinal cord, and the gut (which has its own nervous system!). This is why people who have vertigo also have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and imbalance. Everything in the body is connected!

Because dizziness can stem from many different conditions, healthcare providers often order a wide range of tests to rule out serious issues such as heart attacks or strokes. It’s common for vestibular assessments and imaging studies like MRIs or CT scans to return normal results. This does not diminish the reality of your symptoms — it simply indicates that the underlying cause is more complex and often related to how the brain processes balance and sensory information, which routine diagnostic tests cannot detect. The encouraging news is that meaningful improvement is still entirely possible!

There are many causes that influence dizziness and vertigo symptoms, not to mention other symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, stress, light and sound sensitivity, and difficulty with movement. Symptom intensity can range due to dehydration and food triggers, poor sleep patterns, over-activity AND under-activity, disrupted routine, weather…the list can go on and on. The good news there are many different strategies and techniques to tackle these underlying causes – you DON'T have to live like this forever!

Your brain's priority is to protect you. When dizziness or vertigo first appear, it’s common to panic or feel stressed — and the brain quickly labels those sensations as a threat. If the symptoms continue during everyday activities, the brain can start processing those activities as dangerous too, creating a cycle of fear and avoidance. Over time, even simple tasks can trigger anxiety because the brain has learned an unhelpful pattern. However, the brain can also RE-LEARN that movement and activity are safe, breaking the fear cycle. This program will give you tools and techniques to help retrain your brain to interpret symptoms correctly, and reduce stress and fearful responses.

If you think about it, most things in life work best in a middle ground or ‘sweet spot’—and rest is no different. When you’re dealing with chronic dizziness or vertigo, it’s natural to want to avoid activity because so much seems to make your symptoms worse. But doing nothing (or resting too much) can actually slow down your brain and body’s ability to retrain. On the other hand, doing too much can overwhelm your system, increase symptoms, and leave you feeling discouraged. The key is finding a comfortable middle path. This usually starts with gentle, manageable movement that helps your brain relearn that activity is safe. Think of it like training for a marathon: you begin slowly, build gradually, and improve as your brain and body adapt

It’s completely understandable to feel alone in your journey, but many people have faced similar challenges and have successfully broken free from chronic symptoms and returned to doing the activities they love. In my work as a physical therapist specializing in vertigo and dizziness, I’ve seen this firsthand — and I’ve also experienced chronic dizziness myself. The path out of chronic symptoms requires patience, persistence, and staying present. Progress takes time, and there will be frustrations, but if you continue showing up and moving forward, you will make meaningful gains!

Traditional vestibular rehabilitation focuses primarily on movement and activity, often provided by physical and occupational therapists like myself, who specialize in dizziness and vertigo. While exercise, walking, balance, and movement are important components of recovery, I found throughout my work with patients that chronic dizziness and vertigo recovery involves much more than physical rehabilitation alone.

The Dizziness to Freedom Transformational Program incorporates movement as an important part of recovery while taking a more holistic approach to addressing the brain and body. The program focuses on lifestyle and daily routines, emotional well-being, and social engagement—areas that can play an important role in how you experience and manage chronic symptoms.

Most importantly, the program is tailored to each client’s individual needs, challenges, and goals. Rather than a one-size-fits-all or group-based approach, clients receive personalized, one-on-one coaching and support throughout their journey toward greater confidence, independence, and freedom from chronic dizziness and vertigo.

No. This is a coaching program, and is not intended to replace medical care, vestibular therapy, or physical therapy. We encourage you to continue working with your physician and other healthcare providers for your individual medical needs. Traditional physical therapy is not provided as part of this program. In addition, medication and supplement recommendations are not provided as part of this coaching program.

Everyone’s recovery is different - the main goal of this program is to help reduce the frequency of chronic dizziness and vertigo symptoms and make it easier to participate in the activities you enjoy without being held back by your symptoms.

Ultimately, the program is designed to help you regain your independence and live your life without dizziness and vertigo being in control.

Your results will depend on your commitment to the program and putting the recommended strategies into practice. You have the power to make a difference in your recovery!

This will all be dependent on your symptoms, your limitations, and your needs, as well as your overall goals and desires. The Dizziness to Freedom Transformational Program will provide you with tools, strategies, techniques, and recommendations to take back control of your life and move toward independence from chronic dizziness and vertigo. I am excited to be your partner on this journey to freedom!