Migraine is often associated with severe headaches, but not all migraines cause head pain. For many people, the primary symptoms are dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and balance problems. This condition is known as vestibular migraine, and it can significantly impact daily life if left untreated.
At Tri Rehab, we help patients in Dearborn and Canton, Michigan manage vestibular migraines through personalized vestibular rehabilitation programs designed to reduce dizziness, improve balance, and restore confidence in movement.
What Is a Vestibular Migraine?
A migraine is a neurological condition that may cause headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, visual disturbances, nausea, dizziness, and other neurological symptoms. It affects approximately 13% of adults and is most common during adulthood.
A vestibular migraine is a specific type of migraine in which dizziness and vertigo are the primary symptoms. Unlike traditional migraines, many people with vestibular migraines experience little or no headache.
Common symptoms include:
- Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Imbalance
- Motion sensitivity
- Visual sensitivity
Episodes may last anywhere from 5 minutes to 72 hours, and symptoms are often triggered by movement or by watching moving objects.
Common Vestibular Migraine Triggers
While triggers vary from person to person, several factors are commonly associated with vestibular migraines.
Lifestyle Triggers
- Stress
- Skipping meals
- Poor sleep or lack of sleep
- Hormonal changes
- Weather or climate changes
- Neck pain
Environmental Triggers
- Bright lights
- Loud sounds
- Busy visual environments
- Motion or moving objects
Dietary Triggers
Certain foods and beverages may increase migraine symptoms, including:
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Aged cheeses
- Red wine and other alcoholic beverages
- Fried or fatty foods
- Processed meats containing nitrates
- Nuts and peanut butter
- Artificial sweeteners
- Foods containing MSG
- Sugary foods and candy
Keeping a migraine diary can help identify your personal triggers and make them easier to avoid.
How Can You Manage Vestibular Migraine Symptoms?
Although vestibular migraines cannot always be prevented, healthy lifestyle habits may help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
Helpful strategies include:
Stay Physically Active
Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, can improve overall health and may help reduce migraine frequency.
Prioritize Sleep
Aim for a consistent sleep schedule and approximately eight hours of sleep each night.
Eat Regular Meals
Skipping meals can trigger migraines. Eating four or five smaller meals throughout the day may help maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Stay Hydrated
Drink 6–8 glasses of water each day to help prevent dehydration, which is a common migraine trigger.
Manage Stress
Stress and anxiety are among the most common migraine triggers. Relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, mindfulness, and regular physical activity may all help.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking can contribute to numerous health problems and may worsen migraine symptoms.
Identify Trigger Foods
Reducing or eliminating foods that trigger your symptoms may help decrease the frequency of vestibular migraines.
How Vestibular Rehabilitation Can Help
One of the most effective treatments for persistent dizziness related to vestibular migraine is vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT).
Your physical therapist may prescribe vestibular habituation exercises, which gradually expose you to movements that trigger symptoms.
Although these exercises may temporarily provoke dizziness, repeating them consistently helps your brain adapt—a process known as habituation. Over time, this can reduce motion sensitivity, dizziness, and nausea.
Vestibular rehabilitation may help improve:
- Balance
- Walking confidence
- Motion tolerance
- Visual stability
- Daily function
- Overall quality of life
Because every patient experiences vestibular migraine differently, your therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and goals.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist?
If dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems are interfering with your daily activities, don’t ignore them. Vestibular rehabilitation can be an effective, non-invasive treatment option that helps many people regain confidence and return to normal activities.
At Tri Rehab, our experienced therapists provide personalized vestibular rehabilitation programs to help patients reduce dizziness and improve balance safely.
Visit www.trirehab.com to learn more about vestibular rehabilitation services in Dearborn and Canton, Michigan.
Sources
- Michigan Balance – Vestibular Testing and Rehabilitation
- The National Headache Foundation – www.headaches.org
- Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program by David Buchholz, MD (2002)
- The Migraine Brain: Your Breakthrough Guide to Fewer Headaches and Better Health by Carolyn Bernstein, MD (2008)
