Vestibular Rehabilitation

What is Vestibular Dysfunction?

Your ears have three tiny interconnected semicircular canals, which are fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear and help you keep your balance. Vestibular dysfunction occurs when the vestibular system in the inner ear is not functioning properly. The vestibular system plays a critical role in maintaining balance and coordination and stabilizing gaze when the head is moving. If your system is impaired, you can experience vertigo (sensation of spinning), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, imbalance, vision changes and lightheadedness. Vestibular and Vertigo Rehabilitation is important and can really have a daily impact on your life.

Physiotherapists that are trained in vestibular rehabilitation provide a thorough assessment and treatment for the following vestibular dysfunctions:

Issues we solve with Vestibular Rehabilitation:

Bilateral peripheral vestibulopathy

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

Labyrinthitis

Meniere’s Disease

Migraine-related dizziness

Post-concussion dizziness

Vestibular neuritis

Vestibular and Vertigo Rehabilitation Physiotherapy

Treatments for Vestibular Dysfunctions

Epley’s maneuver for BPPV

Gaze stabilization exercises

Balance retraining

Gait retraining

Fall prevention

Vertigo exercises

Epley’s maneuver for BPPV

Gaze stabilization exercises

Balance retraining

Gait retraining

Fall prevention

Vertigo exercises

Prescribed prochlorperazine / prochlorazine medication may be helpful to alleviate and control nausea.

What to expect at your Initial Assessment

The initial assessment is usually about an hour long. It involves a detailed history and taking a complete clinical assessment. The clinical assessment involves performing a series of specific tests to determine the source of your dizziness and irregular eye movement is observed using Frenzel lenses. The results from the assessment are used to create an individualized treatment plan which can involve specific head maneuvers and exercise programs. Some vestibular disorders can resolve in 1 to 3 visits, whereas other types can require more time.

The assessment will likely reproduce your symptoms. We highly recommended that you have a family member or a friend accompany you to your appointment when we start your vestibular and vertigo rehabilitation.