Vestibular Rehabilitation (Vertigo)

Vertigo is a common condition that causes a person to experience dizziness, a spinning sensation and loss of balance.  It can be very debilitating and can hugely affect a person’s quality of life.  However, physiotherapy can play a crucial role in the treatment, helping people to regain their balance and reduce their symptoms.

The most common type of vertigo that we would see is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).  It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and float in the fluid-filled canals, causing a disturbance in the balance system.  Treatment for this involves using a technique called the Epley manoeuvre which involves a series of head movements that help to re-position the crystals back to their normal position.

We would also use vestibular rehabilitation to help.  This is a specialised exercise programme to improve the vestibular system which is responsible for maintaining balance.  The exercises focus on promoting the brain’s ability to compensate for the inner ear’s dysfunction.

Your physiotherapist may also provide education and advice on lifestyle modifications that can help modify your symptoms.

Following treatment, some people may experience immediate relief while others may require a couple of physiotherapy sessions.

If you wish to book, make an appointment with either Germaine Mallin or Karuna Pradhan, our vestibular physiotherapists.