About Vestibular Physiotherapy
What is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system contributes to your balance and sense of spatial orientation. It is comprised of two components;
1. Semicircular canal system, which detects rotational movements.
2. Otoliths, which indicate linear accelerations.
The vestibular system sends signals primarily to your brainstem and neural structures that control eye movements, and your balance mechanisms. Your vestibular system is located in your inner ear.
Dizziness, Vertigo and balance issues are often caused by illnesses that affect the inner ear, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), migraines and inflammation of the inner ear balance apparatus (called vestibular neuritis). Dizziness may also be caused by low blood pressure, some heart problems (such as cardiac arrythmias), anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or (uncommonly) by hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). The therapy used to treat these conditions is known as Vestibular Rehabilitation. Our Certified Vestibular Therapy Clinicians can help patients recover from inner ear discrepancies due to injury or illness before it causes a loss of equilibrium, resulting in dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance and other unpleasant symptoms. At Shelbourne Physiotherapy we have specialized testing equipment and our specially trained Vestibular Physiotherapists can effectively treat these conditions for patients in the Greater Victoria area.
Vertigo and dizziness are often symptoms rather than a disease. Vertigo refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in your balance (vestibular) system. Vertigo may be used to describe feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and unsteadiness.
Vertigo usually occurs as a result of a disorder in the vestibular system (structures of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum). Your vestibular system is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement and for keeping objects in visual focus as the body moves.
When your head moves, signals are transmitted to the labyrinth, which is an apparatus in the inner ear that is made up of three semicircular canals surrounded by fluid. The labyrinth then transmits movement information to the vestibular nerve and the vestibular nerve carries the information to the brainstem and cerebellum (areas of the brain that control balance, posture, and motor coordination).
What conditions can Vestibular Physiotherapy treat?
Vestibular Physiotherapy can effectively treat a wide range of conditions that cause dizziness, balance issues, and spatial disorientation. Some of the most common conditions include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- A common cause of vertigo triggered by changes in head position.
- Vestibular physiotherapy uses repositioning maneuvers (e.g., Epley maneuver) to resolve symptoms.
- Vestibular Neuritis & Labyrinthitis
- Infections or inflammation of the inner ear leading to dizziness, imbalance, and nausea.
- Therapy helps retrain the brain to compensate for vestibular loss.
- Meniere's Disease
- A chronic condition causing vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.
- Therapy assists in managing balance issues and reducing dizziness episodes.
- Post-Concussion Syndrome
- Persistent dizziness, headaches, and balance issues after a head injury.
- Vestibular rehabilitation improves motion tolerance and reduces symptoms.
- Chronic Dizziness & Motion Sensitivity
- Sensitivity to movement, visual stimuli, or head movements.
- Therapy helps the brain adapt to movement and reduce symptoms.
- Vestibular Migraine
- Migraines that cause vertigo, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and motion.
- Physiotherapy includes balance retraining and habituation exercises.
- Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
- Chronic dizziness triggered by motion, crowds, or visual stimuli.
- Therapy focuses on desensitization and balance training.
- Imbalance & Falls (Age-Related or Neurological Causes)
- Loss of balance due to aging, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or other conditions.
- Strength and balance training help reduce fall risks.
- Cervicogenic Dizziness
- Dizziness associated with neck pain or stiffness.
- Therapy includes posture correction and neck mobility exercises.
What are the common symptoms of Dizziness and Vertigo?
- A sensation of movement (including spinning), either of yourself or the external environment
- Unsteadiness, including finding it difficult to walk in a straight line
- Light-headedness
- Feeling "faint"
- Motion sensitivity
- Unsteadiness
- Blurry or bouncy vision
- Visual sensitivity
- Falls
- Further symptoms that may accompany dizziness include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Ringing or other sounds in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty hearing
- Staggering gait and loss of coordination (ataxia)
- Unusual eye movements, such as flitting of the eyes nystagmus)
- Finding it difficult to see clearly when moving, for example, reading a sign while walking or driving.Our team of highly trained and experienced physical therapists are dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals. We work together to provide the best care possible and are constantly striving to improve our skills and knowledge.
What causes Dizziness, Vertigo, Concussion and Vestibular Disorders?
Vestibular Disorders are common and can affect people of all ages and all walks of life. They are most often caused by;
- Head trauma (car accidents, falls, contact sports)
- Ear infections (neuritis, labyrinthitis)
- Aging
- Certain prescription medications
- Stroke and/or brain injury
- Illness or disease
- Inflammation in the inner ear
- Neck joint dysfunction
- Vestibular migraine
- Acoustic neuroma
- Meniere's disease
Disorders of the inner ear account for about half of all cases of persistent (ongoing) dizziness. Disorders include Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular neuritis. Your doctor will run some tests if you are suffering from vertigo (medical history, physical examination, blood pressure check, MRI scan in extreme cases), but may send your to a physiotherapist if BPPV is suspected.
If you suffer from BPPV our specially trained Physiotherapists can treat and manage this condition. Treatment will involve being tested using specialized visual goggles and Canalith positioning procedures, which are a special set of exercises designed to remove inner ear 'crystals' in BPPV. You will also be given advice on self management to prevent recurrence of the condition. Vestibular Rehabilitation is a drug-free approach involving specific exercises and manual therapy techniques designed to improve balance function, decrease dizziness/vertigo symptoms, and increase your general activity levels.
Why should I choose Vestibular Rehab at Shelbourne Physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialized form of therapy designed to help individuals suffering from dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders. If you're experiencing unsteadiness, frequent falls, or motion sensitivity, vestibular physiotherapy can be a game-changer in restoring your confidence and mobility.
- Effective Treatment for Dizziness & Vertigo
- Vestibular physiotherapy addresses the root cause of dizziness and vertigo, helping patients manage conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease. Through targeted exercises and maneuvers, symptoms can be significantly reduced or eliminated.
- Improved Balance & Fall Prevention
- A compromised vestibular system increases the risk of falls, especially in older adults. Vestibular physiotherapy strengthens balance and coordination, reducing fall risk and improving overall stability.
- Customized Treatment Plans
- Every patient's condition is unique, and vestibular physiotherapy offers tailored programs to suit individual needs. Therapists assess your symptoms and design personalized exercises to retrain your brain and body for better movement and spatial awareness.
- Non-Invasive and Drug-Free Approach
- Unlike medications that only mask symptoms, vestibular physiotherapy provides a natural, long-term solution by retraining the vestibular system. It helps your body adapt and compensate without the need for ongoing medication.
- Supports Concussion & Post-Surgery Recovery
- Vestibular rehabilitation plays a crucial role in recovering from concussion and surgery.