Vestibular Physiotherapy
Do you have problems with dizziness, vertigo or balance?
Your Symptoms
People with vestibular disorders often suffer from the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo (an illusion of motion)
- Balance problems
- Nausea
- Unsteady walking
- Blurred vision
- Reduced concentration
- Increased fatigue
What Is The Vestibular System?
The vestibular apparatus is a small structure about the size of your thumb nail that is located in your inner ear, next to your hearing apparatus. The vestibular apparatus sends information to your brain about your head position and speed and direction of your head movements. Your brain uses this information (along with information from other areas of your body) to work out where you are in space, how to keep your balance and posture and how to stabilise your body and head during movement. Problems with the vestibular apparatus or the areas of your brain that process vestibular information can cause feelings of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance.
Vestibular Disorders
Common vestibular disorders that Vestibular Physiotherapy can help with:
- Vestibular Neuronitis
- Labrynthitis
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular Migraine
- Menieres Disease
- Stroke, brain injury or multiple sclerosis causing balance and dizziness problems
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Falls and balance issues
- And more…
Vestibular Physiotherapy
Vestibular Physiotherapy is an exercise based treatment approach, which can include:
- Balance exercises
- Eye movement exercises
- Head and eye co-ordination exercises
- Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Fitness training programmes
- Strength training to improve posture
- Education and advice
What To Expect
Your first Vestibular Physiotherapy session can involve:
- Lots of questions, so that your physiotherapist can get a good understanding of your dizziness / balance problems.
- Assessment of your eye and neck movements
- Measurements of your balance
- Testing of the positions that make you feel dizzy
- Explanations from your physiotherapist about the cause of your dizziness
- Prescription of an exercise program to help with your dizziness / balance
- Recommendations for your physiotherapy treatment plan