Vestibular Physiotherapy

Specialized treatment for dizziness and vertigo.

What is Vestibular Physiotherapy?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of vestibular therapy used by physiotherapists to alleviate signs, symptoms, and other problems caused by vestibular disorders, such as dizziness and vertigo. 

VRT targets various elements within the inner ear that create the vestibular system. The vestibular system is one of the leading contributors that is responsible for controlling our balance, eye movements, and spatial orientation. If a disease or injury damages the vestibular system, a vestibular disorder can arise.

​Individuals with vestibular disorders often report dizziness, vertigo (sensation of the room spinning), unsteadiness, and/or difficulty with their balance. These symptoms can drastically diminish quality of life and impact many aspects of daily living. ​

How Vestibular Physiotherapy Works

Vestibular physiotherapy works by using specific exercises to help the brain adapt to changes in the vestibular system. The exercises used in vestibular physiotherapy help improve the function of the inner ear and the brainstem. These exercises may include gaze stabilization exercises, balance exercises, and habituation exercises. Gaze stabilization exercises help patients maintain their focus on a stationary object while moving their head. Balance exercises help patients improve their balance and reduce their risk of falls. Habituation exercises help patients adapt to movements that cause dizziness and vertigo.​

Vestibular Physiotherapy Assessments and Treatments

The goal of VRT is to use a problem-oriented approach to improve function. During your assessment, your specially trained physiotherapist will assess your neck, eye movement, head movement, balance, proprioception (spatial orientation), as well as combined eye and head movements.
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Your subsequent treatment will be tailored to your areas of difficulty and will be based on the diagnoses found by your physiotherapist. Treatments may include balance training, vestibular exercises, various maneuvers (Epley, Lempert...), home program exercises, and much more. 

Benefits

Decrease and eliminate dizziness, vertigo symptoms
Improve balance
Increase steadiness
Decrease headaches 
Decrease motion sensitivity
Improve function
​Reduce the risk of falls

Areas to target

VRT may be right for you if you are experiencing:

Vertigo / BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
Vestibular Neuritis
Dizziness
Poor balance
Unsteadiness
Headaches, Migraines
Motion sensitivity

Feel the difference Function Physiotherapy has to offer.