Vestibular Therapy

Vestibular physiotherapy may be helpful for individuals of all ages experiencing dizziness, vertigo, balance difficulties, or symptoms related to inner ear disorders or concussion. Your physiotherapist will complete a comprehensive assessment to determine the cause of your symptoms and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Your first appointment includes a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and goals. Your physiotherapist will assess your eye movements, balance, walking, neck movement, and the function of your vestibular (inner ear) system. This may include specific positional tests to determine whether your symptoms are coming from the inner ear.  

Treatment may include repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV, balance training, gaze stabilization exercises, habituation exercises, walking and movement retraining, education, and a personalized home exercise program.

Vestibular physiotherapy may not be appropriate, or you may require further medical assessment before treatment, if you:

- Have sudden hearing loss with dizziness- Experience new or worsening neurological symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, severe weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking- Have severe neck instability or certain cervical spine conditions that make positional testing unsafe- Have an acute medical condition requiring urgent assessment- Have other medical conditions where vestibular testing or treatment is not appropriate

If your symptoms suggest a condition requiring urgent medical attention, your physiotherapist will recommend appropriate medical follow-up before proceeding with treatment.

Some assessment techniques and treatment exercises are designed to reproduce your symptoms temporarily in order to help your brain adapt. It is common to experience temporary dizziness, nausea, or mild fatigue during or shortly after treatment. These symptoms usually settle within a short period of time.

Potential benefits include reduced dizziness and vertigo, improved balance, decreased risk of falls, increased confidence with walking and movement, improved ability to return to work, sport, and daily activities, and an overall improvement in quality of life. Results vary depending on the underlying condition, but many vestibular disorders respond very well to physiotherapy when appropriately assessed and treated.

If you are experiencing vertigo and dizziness, it is not recommended you drive.  Please have someone bring you and pick you up from your appointment.  

If you are feeling nauseated, please speak to your doctor or a pharmacist regarding if you would be able to take gravol or betahistine (Serc) to manage your symptoms.  This can make the positional maneuvers more tolerable.  In the event, you cannot do this, I do have vomit bags in the clinic, if necessary.  If you are vommitting please be sure to stay hydrated and ask your pharmacist about electrolyte replacement.