Regain Balance and Reduce Dizziness with Vestibular Physiotherapy
Have you ever experienced a sudden bout of dizziness or suddenly felt very unsteady on your feet? Both can be very alarming and put someone at a risk of falling. This is what happened to a retired teacher in Edmonton when she felt the world was coming out from underneath her feet. Simple tasks like making breakfast and getting in the shower were suddenly hazards and she needed help.
She called PhysiGO Edmonton and set up an appointment with our in-home vestibular physiotherapist. After a thorough assessment, they developed a treatment plan tailored to her needs. Part of her plan included exercises focused on balance and gaze stabilization which helped to regain her confidence with being upright. Over time, her dizziness decreased until it was gone allowing her to get back to the activities she loves. She was so grateful to have an in-home physiotherapy assessment as it took away her need to drive and potentially cause an accident – something she was terrified of.
What is vestibular physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that deals with conditions of the inner ear that often cause dizziness, decreased balance and nausea. Physiotherapists that treat these conditions have received additional training to treat vestibular disorders.
Understanding the Vestibular System
The vestibular system is located in our inner ear and its job is to help keep us in balance, tell us where we are in space and coordinate our movements. The inner ear’s job is to keep us upright and not fall over. Without input from our inner ear we would not be able to walk around our environment without falling or walking into a wall.
The vestibular system has 2 main parts: semicircular canals and the otolith organs (utricle and saccule). The semicircular canals are loop shaped to detect rotational movements of the head. Each canal is responsible for a different plane of motion – horizontal, vertical or lateral. The otolith organs detect accelerations and the effects of gravity. When we move our heads, fluid within these structures shift stimulating hair cells that send signals to the brain via the vestibular nerve. The brain collects this information and uses it to maintain our balance.
Without a well functioning vestibular system every day activities like walking, turning or keeping a posture become very difficult. When this system does not function properly it can cause numerous symptoms including dizziness, vertigo and balance issues. Almost, every person suffering from these symptoms will experience a decreased quality of life as they are no longer able to do simple tasks.
Conditions Successfully Treated with Vestibular Physiotherapy
Vestibular physiotherapy is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including:
Balance Disorders: General balance issues related to vestibular dysfunction, aging, or neurological conditions.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common condition we see related to the vestibular system and it is usually triggered by changes in head position. In each cancel there are tiny crystals which can become dislodged causing the normal signals going to the brain to become disrupted. The Epley maneuver is the gold standard treatment option for BPPV.
Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis: Both of these conditions involve swelling around the vestibular nerve which carries the signals to the brain. When the nerve is affected it can cause sudden severe dizziness, balance issues and often even hearing loss. Your vestibular physiotherapist will help you develop strategies to adapt to the changes in balance input.
Meniere’s Disease: Meniere’s Disease causes a disorder in the inner ear that can cause vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in the ear. To date, there is no known cause of this but vestibular physiotherapy is helpful to work on the balance-related aspects of the condition.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD): PPPD is a chronic condition that causes non-spinning dizziness and unsteadiness which becomes worse with upright posture or motion. Vestibular physiotherapists work with the patients on habituation and balance exercises to improve their stability.
Post Concussion Syndrome: When recovering from a concussion it is common to have some symptoms remain after the initial healing period. Individuals often experience ongoing dizziness, balance and visual issues. When dealing with these issues a vestibular physiotherapist can develop a plan to restore normal function.
Age-Related Balance Issues: As we get older, the vestibular system undergoes changes like the rest of our body. This can lead to balance problems or an increased risk of falls. A vestibular physiotherapist can develop a plan to increase balance, mobility and coordination to ensure an individual’s safety.
Stroke or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Different deficits can happen after stroke and TBI depending on what area of the brain is affected. If there is any difficulty with balance and spatial awareness, a vestibular physiotherapist can assess and improve overall independence.
Seriously dont even bother looking elsewhere. If you’re looking for in home Physio give this place a GO. Your very sore body will thank you for it!
I screwed up my neck recently. Lisa came to my rescue! She came to my home and was extremely thorough, very knowledgeable and her customer service skills and compassion – unmatched!
This super sweet lady took her time doing her assessment and made sure to explain to me along the way what she was doing and why. She also answered any questions I had and suggested exercises and stretches for me to help progress me along. She wasnt dismissive at all.
The customer service team are quick to respond to any question I have and also extremely helpful and very empathetic. – Joanne
Will Vestibular Physiotherapy Help Me?
Short answer: YES!
Long answer: If you have been experiencing dizziness, vertigo or balance issues then scheduling an appointment with a vestibular physiotherapist might help you regain some of your confidence and independence. Vestibular physiotherapy has been shown to be very effective in treating many conditions. If you have been avoiding treatment like shoulder checking or looking up – we can help! Avoiding those activities can actually slow down recovery whereas getting a proper treatment plan can improve your symptoms.
Meet our Vestibular Physiotherapists
Lisa Lewis (Edmonton)
What Does a Vestibular Physiotherapist Do?
Every vestibular physiotherapy session starts with a thorough assessment. The first thing our physiotherapists will do is take a history to help determine what symptoms you have been experiencing and what movements are difficult.
After that we move into more specific testing:
Oculomotor Testing – assessing your eye’s ability move and looking for any abnormalities with the movement
Balance and Gait – assessing you body’s ability to maintain balance in different positions (e.g. standing vs walking)
Positional Tests – assessing what movements and positions provoke the symptoms
Neck Assessment – a full neck assessment will also be performed if need to see if some of your dizziness can be caused by neck
Once we have done an assessment and come to a diagnosis, you will spend time with your physiotherapist to develop a treatment plan based on the assessment and your goals. Often this plan can include different types of exercises including:
- Canalith Repositioning Manuevers: Techniques such as the Epley manuerver to treat BPPV by repositioning the crystals in the canals
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises work on eye movements while maintaining control of your head.
- Balance Training: Working on your body’s ability to stay on your feet, this can include balance exercises and strengthening exercises.
- Habituation Exercises: These exercises are used to slowly expose you to specific environments that have been triggering your symptoms.
The most important piece of any vestibular assessment is education and support. Understanding why we are implementing certain exercises and why they are important is crucial. They will also provide insight on lifestyle modifications you can make on a daily basis to prevent falls and slowly increase your independence.
What are the Benefits of Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular physiotherapy or vestibular rehabilitation has numerous benefits that are aimed at decreased symptoms that are experienced by individuals suffering from the above disorders. By working with a vestibular physiotherapist it can help to improve your overall quality of life.
Reduction in Dizziness and Vertigo
One of the primary goals is to decrease how often and how intense the episodes of dizziness and vertigo are. The custom plan from your therapist will help the brain begin to understand the signals coming from the vestibular system which leads to a reduction in symptoms.
Enhanced Balance and Stability
After your sessions with a vestibular physiotherapist it should become easier to stay upright and you should feel more steady on your feet leading to a decreased risk of falls.
Improved Gaze Stability
Depending on what activity you were struggling it should become easier to track with your eyes. Usually, the most common activities we see patients complain of are reading and walking.
Increased Physical Strength and Mobility
Depending on what your physiotherapist finds in their underlying assessment they will prescribe some exercises to increase strength.
Decreased Sensitivity to Motion
Your physiotherapist will give you habituation exercises if needed that will help reduce your symptoms in uncomfortable situations.
Increased Quality of Life
By addressing all of your symptoms, many individuals get back to the activities and life that they love.
Vestibular rehabilitation can be life changing and we come right to your home to provide this service!
Locations Offering Vestibular Rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
How are balance and vestibular disorders diagnosed?
When you consult a vestibular physiotherapist for symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues, the diagnostic process begins with a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a detailed discussion of your medical history and current symptoms to identify potential triggers and patterns. The physiotherapist then conducts a series of non-invasive tests to assess the function of your vestibular system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining balance.
Will my vertigo every go away?
The outlook for vertigo largely depends on its underlying cause. For many individuals, vertigo is a temporary condition that resolves on its own or with appropriate treatment. For instance, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), one of the most common forms, often responds well to specific repositioning maneuvers performed by trained professionals .
However, some causes of vertigo, such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, may result in longer-lasting symptoms, though these often improve over time with vestibular rehabilitation therapy . In cases where vertigo is due to chronic conditions like Ménière’s disease or vestibular migraines, individuals may experience recurring episodes, but symptom management strategies can significantly enhance quality of life.
Can vestibular physiotherapy help with motion sickness?
Yes, vestibular physiotherapy can be an effective approach to managing motion sickness. Motion sickness often arises from a mismatch between the sensory inputs from the eyes, inner ear, and body. Vestibular physiotherapy aims to recalibrate these sensory systems through targeted exercises.
One common technique used is habituation therapy, which involves controlled, repeated exposure to movements or visual stimuli that typically provoke symptoms. Over time, this can help desensitize the vestibular system, reducing the severity of motion sickness episodes.
Additionally, gaze stabilization exercises are employed to improve the coordination between eye and head movements, enhancing visual stability during motion. Balance training exercises further support the body’s ability to maintain equilibrium, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing motion-induced dizziness.
By engaging in a structured vestibular rehabilitation program, individuals can experience a reduction in motion sickness symptoms, leading to improved comfort during activities such as traveling or using virtual reality devices.
If motion sickness is impacting your daily life, consulting with a vestibular physiotherapist can help determine an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Start Your Journey to Better Balance
