Vertigo vs. Lightheadedness: What’s the Difference & When to Worry?

Feeling dizzy can be unsettling. Maybe the room feels like it’s spinning. Or maybe you just feel a little “off,” like you might faint if you don’t sit down. Both of these sensations fall under the umbrella of dizziness, but the causes and the solutions can be very different.

At SparqPT in Castle Rock, we help many people sort out whether they’re dealing with ertigo, lightheadedness, or something else entirely. Let’s break down the difference between Vertigo vs. Lightheadedness, when to worry, and what you can do about it.

Define Dizziness: An Umbrella Term

When someone says, “I feel dizzy,” it can mean a lot of different things. Dizziness is really an umbrella term that covers a wide range of sensations:

• The room spinning (vertigo)

• Feeling faint or woozy (lightheadedness)

• Feeling unsteady or off-balance

• A floating or disconnected sensation

• Motion sickness–like nausea

Because we don’t always have the perfect words to describe what we’re feeling, it can be hard to explain dizziness to a doctor, friend, or family member. Patients often say things like, “I just feel weird,” or “I can’t really put it into words, but I don’t feel steady.”

Sometimes, the cause of your dizziness doesn’t fit neatly into one box — like a concussion, which can trigger either vertigo or lightheadedness. That’s why taking the time to understand your symptoms can make a big difference in finding the right treatment.

Vertigo vs. Lightheadedness: What’s the Difference?

• Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, tilting, or moving when they’re not. It’s most often linked to the inner ear (your vestibular system), which helps control balance.

• Lightheadedness is more of a feeling of being faint, woozy, or “about to pass out.” It doesn’t feel like movement — instead it often feels like your head isn’t fully “with it.”

Both can cause unsteadiness, but understanding the differences and symptoms of vertigo vs. lightheadedness you’re experiencing is key to getting the right treatment.

Symptoms of Vertigo vs. Lightheadedness

Vertigo symptoms may include:

• A spinning sensation

• Nausea or vomiting

• Trouble walking straight

• Motion sensitivity

• Episodes triggered by head movement

Lightheadedness symptoms may include:

• Woozy or faint feeling

• Blurry vision or tunnel vision

• Weakness or shakiness

• Symptoms that improve after lying down

If you’re not sure which describes you, take our Dizziness Quiz to get clarity.

What Causes Vertigo?

Some of the most common vertigo causes include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A mechanical issue in the inner ear, often treated quickly with repositioning maneuvers.

• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Inner ear inflammation, usually after a viral illness.

• Ménière’s Disease: A rare condition involving fluid buildup in the inner ear.

The good news? Many vestibular issues respond well to physical therapy, including targeted vertigo exercises that retrain your brain and restore balance.

Common Causes of Lightheadedness

• Blood pressure changes (like standing up too quickly)

• Dehydration

• Blood sugar fluctuations

• Anxiety or panic attacks

• Medications

• Concussion

Unlike vertigo, lightheadedness is usually not caused by the inner ear, and often points to cardiovascular, metabolic, or systemic factors. These causes don’t typically require physical therapy.

Concussion is the exception. While most of the causes above typically lead only to lightheadedness, concussion can trigger either vertigo or lightheadedness—or sometimes both. That’s because a concussion affects the brain and vestibular system, which are central to balance and spatial orientation.

The good news? Vestibular physical therapy can help retrain the brain, reduce dizziness, and restore confidence after a concussion. At SparqPT, we use vestibular rehab, balance retraining, neck (cervical) care, eye-movement and visual tracking exercises, and gradual aerobic activity to help reduce symptoms and support recovery.

When to Worry About Dizziness

Most dizziness is not life-threatening, but some red flags mean it’s time to seek immediate help:

• Sudden dizziness with weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking (could be a stroke)

• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations

• Sudden, severe headache

• Dizziness after a head injury

If you’ve recently had a concussion and your dizziness or lightheadedness isn’t improving, that’s also a sign to get checked out. Early treatment with a concussion-trained physical therapist can make recovery faster and smoother.

Treatment Options: Why Physical Therapy Helps

If your dizziness comes from a vestibular cause like vertigo — or if it’s related to concussion — vestibular physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments available. At SparqPT, we use:

• Canalith repositioning maneuvers (for BPPV)

• Customized balance and gaze-stabilization exercises

• Education on movement strategies to reduce symptoms

• Concussion-specific rehab for lingering dizziness, lightheadedness, or motion sensitivity

The goal isn’t just to make the dizziness go away — it’s to retrain your system so you feel steady and confident again.

Castle Rock Physical Therapy for Vertigo & Dizziness

If you’re wondering, “Is my dizziness normal?” you don’t have to guess. Our team at SparqPT in Castle Rock specializes in treating vertigo, concussion-related dizziness, and vestibular disorders. Whether you’re dealing with spinning sensations, balance problems, or unexplained lightheadedness, we can help you figure it out and get you back on your feet.

• Download our free guide to learn more about vertigo treatment options.

• Or schedule your evaluation with our Castle Rock vestibular therapy team today.

Bottom Line: Vertigo and lightheadedness may feel similar, but the causes — and treatments — are very different. If dizziness is interfering with your daily life, don’t wait it out. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment now can prevent bigger balance issues later.