Vestibular Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy can help reduce dizziness and the resulting unsteadiness through Vestibular Rehabilitation. This involves a programme of exercises and training strategies that are individualised based on the difficulties found during detailed assessment.

 

We use 3 main, integrated systems to maintain our balance:

• The inner ears, which detect the position of our head relative to gravity and the speed and direction of our head movements.

• Our eyes, which can orientate us relative to our surroundings and the horizon.

• Our feet and ankles, which have many nerve endings that can judge how well our body is positioned / centred above them, and fire-up muscles to keep us well positioned.

 

The exercises aim to improve reflexes that stabilise our eye position during head movement and stabilise our head position relative to our body and gravity. Other exercises aim to enhance how we use sensors in the skin and joints of our feet, or how we use our eyes to aid our balance.

 

Vestibular Rehabilitation is suitable for treating conditions affecting the inner ear, thereby causing reduced balance and dizziness. These include Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis and Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) can also be treated, although this is largely through treatments such as the Epley Manoeuvre rather than exercise. Some of the principles can also help people who have had problems with balance and dizziness after brain trauma or surgery, or the transient impairment to the brain of Vestibular Migraine.

 

If you feel Vestibular rehabilitation could help you, or if are unsure of the cause of your condition and would like to know if Vestibular Rehabilitation is suitable, assessment appointments are available with Matt who has the expertise to advise you.