Vestibular physiotherapy involves the assessment and treatment of dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders related to the vestibular system found in the inner ear. A comprehensive subjective and objective examination will be performed to help to determine the underlying cause of your dizziness, vertigo or balance difficulties. It is important to identify whether your symptoms are due to the visual, vestibular, or somatosensory (proprioceptive) system in order to appropriately manage your symptoms. Vestibular treatment techniques include specific hands-on manoeuvres, exercises to improve the function of the vestibular system, balance exercises and manual therapy.
Common Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders:
- Feelings of unsteadiness or imbalance (disequilibrium)
- Light-headedness or feelings of passing out
- Blurred vision
- Motion sickness
- Feeling that the environment is spinning (Vertigo)
- Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
These symptoms may occur while sitting, standing, lying down or changing positions. The symptoms may be constant or episodic, lasting for seconds, minutes, or hours.
What causes dizziness?
It is important to note that dizziness is a very common condition and is a frequent complaint of more than 80% of individuals over the age of 75, but can occur in patients of any age. Dizziness can be due to a variety of reasons ranging from different pathologies, inner ear disorders, medication side-effects, neck injuries following MVA, and many more.
Who benefits from vestibular rehabilitation?
- Those diagnosed with dizziness, imbalance, vertigo
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Neck-related dizziness (Cervicogenic or cervico-cranial dizziness)
- Headaches or Migraines
- Balance disorders related to neurological conditions (i.e. Stroke)
- Those with a history of falls
