What is vestibular rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised form of physiotherapy designed to address vertigo and imbalance, assisting patients in their return to normal function.

It consists of:

• An individualised assessment to determine the cause of the symptoms, including specific tests to identify which part of the vestibular system is compromised.
• Special treatment manoeuvres.
• Specific home exercise programme, focusing on symptom desensitisation, coordination of eye and head movements, and improvement of balance and gait re education.
• Education about the condition and strategies to cope and become more active.

For many patients, vestibular rehabilitation results in complete resolution of dizziness and imbalance. Depending on the nature of the issue, improvement may occur within 1-2 treatment sessions or may require 6-8 weeks of exercises.

For others, while symptoms may improve, they might not completely disappear. In these cases, physiotherapists will assist in managing the condition to minimise its impact on daily life.

COMMON CAUSES OF DIZZINESS OR INABILITY TO BALANCE:

Vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance are primarily caused by inner ear disorders. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and plays a key role in maintaining balance and orientation. Damage to the vestibular system due to disease, injury, or ageing can lead to vestibular disorders and balance issues.

Symptoms that relate to a malfunctioning vestibular system may differ in severity, duration, and frequency based on the specific condition. The term 'vertigo' refers to a symptom, not a condition. It describes the sensation of spinning in one's environment and is linked to various conditions affecting the vestibular system.

Common vestibular conditions:

Some of the typical symptoms and conditions that we treat are:

• Vertigo
• Balance Problems, Unsteadiness
• Dizziness
• BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
• Meniere’s disease
• Vestibular Migraine
• Vestibular Neuritis & Labrynthitis
• Post-Concussion syndrome
• Stroke
• Neck related dizziness

 

Treatment

The assessment involves the use of video goggles which allows the physiotherapist to evaluate eye movements more specifically. They will then perform a thorough assessment to determine the intervention and management plan needed and may include:

• Eye and head movement exercises
• Exercises to improve standing balance and walking
• Education and advice on improving confidence & function
• Advice on falls reduction/prevention.