Vestibular/Dizziness Rehabilitation

What is the vestibular system?

The vestibular system is made up of structures located within each inner ear, which create the sensation of being upright or balanced. Our balance system requires this to function in coordination with our vision and joint positioning.

Vestibular rehabilitation:

When our balance systems are not functioning well, we can experience feelings of dizziness. Dizziness can cause a variety of sensations and symptoms: feelings of spinning (vertigo) or off balance, nausea, fatigue, and loss of normal vision. It can also cause secondary neck stiffness, fear or lack of movement and possible headaches.

Your physiotherapist can assist in determining the cause of your dizziness and treat it appropriately.

Common causes of dizziness can occur due to any of the following:

– Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
– Labyrinthitis
– Vestibular Neuritis
– Meniere’s Disease

These symptoms can also appear in more serious conditions such as:

– Low/ High blood pressure
– Stroke

Vestibular Rehabilitation Treatment:

After a comprehensive assessment of your vestibular systems, neck, posture and eye & head coordination, your physiotherapist will determine which treatments are most appropriate. They may also use pre & post assessment questionnaires to determine the frequency, severity and nature of your symptoms. These can help to establish the mechanism of your problem and optimize your treatment plan.

Your treatment plan will be customised to your particular symptoms in order for your brain and central nervous system to retrain the way signals are recognised and processed from the systems of visions, vestibular organs and joint proprioception. Treatment may involve manoeuvres of your head by the therapist if the vestibular system is involved. You will be given specific home exercises to improve your vertigo symptoms as well as balance and eye coordination. These exercises will desensitize your balance system and give you more ease and confidence with movement. As you improve, you will be given progressively harder exercises to challenge you brain. Your therapist will identify if you need further treatment for stiff neck muscles and joints to optimise your system and maintain better spinal health.

Should you be having issues with dizziness, please ring and book in with Ruth Lira, Physiotherapist with a special interest in Vestibular rehabilitation.