Vestibular "Dizziness" Rehabilitation
Our specialised physiotherapists craft personalised plans, combining exercises and support to enhance stability and improve your overall well-being."
What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised exercise-based treatment, targeting the primary symptoms of vestibular disorders to reduce dizziness and improve balance. Dizziness can be a very hard symptom to articulate. Vestibular rehabilitation can help individuals understand their 'dizziness' and give them the tools to take control of these symptoms. The overall goal is to help individuals return to their normal activities of daily living and improve their quality of life.
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and communicates directly with the brain via the vestibulocochlear nerve. It is our bodies internal gyroscope and is essential for gaze stability and maintaining balance. When there has been damage to this system caused by a condition or injury, it can become uncalibrated with our other senses, which can cause a number of symptoms, including:
Dizziness
Nausea
Vertigo
Visual disturbance
Nausea
Notion sensitivity
Disequilibrium
Imbalance
These symptoms can vary in severity and duration but can be debilitating and worrisome. This can lead to avoidance of activities that have been provocative of symptoms, causing a cycle of reduced participation in everyday life. This can affect all aspects of home, work and social participation, causing reduced independence, changes in mood and reduced quality of life.
What is the vestibular system?
What conditions can benefit from vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular migraine
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Meniere’s Disease
Vestibular Schwannoma/Acoustic Neuroma
Acute Vestibular syndromes (Vestibular neuritis/ labyrinthitis)
Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A wide range of other balance and dizziness disorders
What will the assessment entail?
The assessment will comprise a detailed discussion to gain a thorough understanding of the onset, course and nature of the symptoms. This will be followed by an examination looking at eye and head movements, positional testing, standing, walking and balance. Evaluation of these systems will enable a customised treatment plan to be developed.
How do you treat Vestibular conditions?
Vestibular rehabilitation programmes are evidence-based, bespoke exercises which aim to target the individuals’ impairments to reduce their symptoms and achieve their specific goals. Treatment can include a range of different approaches including:
Education to understand the diagnosis
Specific repositioning manoeuvres to treat BPPV
Customised balance and vestibular exercise programme
Multisensory balance retraining
Support and advice to facilitate return to activities of daily living
Onward referral to other members of the multidisciplinary team if required