Why Physical Therapy Doesn't Work for Nerve Damage

 My problem is a neurogenic problem (nerve damage) and not a mechanical problem (loose crystals in the ear).

Forcing me to move my head is basically torturing me as it causes my nerves to fire and misfire more.  If I'm still dizzy after my nerves heal, then physical therapy for repositioning ear crystals will help.  However, for right now, physical therapy is torture.  I have to move around enough as it is and that is difficult, but I have to do things and make sure to get fresh air.  I want to be able to go out and do things so I'm not always locked up alone, obviously.  I also have to take care of some things.  So, I choose to move around at times. But,  I choose to do this, so it is my decision and I can decide how I want to move rather than being told how I need to move my head.

 

I used Google's Gemini Advanced to get this table. (and it took me enough time of editing HTML to get it to appear right on this page . . . lots of checks, but that's besides the point).

 

The Crucial Distinction: Nerve vs. Crystal Problem
Condition	My Injury	What They Are Trying to Treat
The Cause	The Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII) itself, which connects the ear to the brain, is damaged, irritated, or misfiring due to the electrical trauma.	Otolith Displacement (Crystals): Tiny calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) get knocked out of the utricle and float into the semi-circular canals.
The Result	The nerve is sending continuous, faulty, chaotic signals (the electrical tingling, swaying, bouncing) to the brain, regardless of where the crystals are. The signal itself is corrupted.	The brain is getting correct signals, but the fluid movement in the canal is disturbed by the floating crystals.
VRT Success Rate	Low/Harmful: Head and eye movements will only increase the firing of the already damaged, hypersensitive nerve, often worsening the dizziness and pain.	High: Specific maneuvers (like the Epley or Semont) physically move the crystals back to their proper place, fixing the mechanical problem.

Telling me to move my head to fix my nerves is just like when I was told to move my shoulder when diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury when I really had a broken collar bone.  Being diagnosed with the wrong thing and treated for the wrong thing causes damage, not cure.  So, physical therapy for a mechanical problem makes the nerve problem worse.

If I have problems with balance after my nerves heal, then I'll go to physical therapy for that, but for right now, physical therapy is not the answer.