Vestibular Physiotherapy

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Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is an effective exercise based program. It improves the symptoms of dizziness, vertigo and unsteadiness resulting from inner ear conditions such as:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Vestibular neuronitis or labyrinthitis
• After acoustic neuroma removal
• Vestibular migraine
• After Ototoxicity
• After Trauma.

A doctor can refer you for an initial assessment with a vestibular physiotherapist if your symptoms are made worse by movement or changing position, or if you have problems with balance or unsteadiness when walking or with usual daily activity.

The initial assessment will take about one hour. You may be given an exercise program to do at home. These exercises are tailored to your balance symptoms. Generally the program takes between 10-15 minutes to do and consists of balance and walking exercises as well as exercises to reduce the dizzy feelings you may get with particular movements. You can do your program up to three times per day.

Follow up appointments are 30-45 minutes long and will be organised as needed. The first follow up will usually be scheduled in 1–2 weeks and any further reviews (up to a maximum of six) are usually spaced one month apart. These sessions are used to monitor your progress and check your exercise program.

Vestibular rehabilitation is effective in reducing dizzy symptoms with movement, improving balance, walking more steadily, reducing the risk of falls and improving confidence and endurance.

It can help you get back to normal everyday activities like maintaining balance in the shower, walking, sport or housework. It can also help to reduce fatigue and increase independence.

•  Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV): This type of vertigo is caused by a mechanical issue in the inner ear and presents as sudden onset dizziness/nausea with specific movements, often lying down, sitting up or rolling over. This is the most common cause of sudden dizziness and is easily treated by a physiotherapist. 
•  Vestibular neuronitis/labrynthitis:  This type often presents as constant dizziness/nausea that can last for up to a week and make you feel terrible. After the initial intense symptoms settle there is often an ongoing dizziness that continues with movement or rapid eye movement. It is important to get a diagnosis and treat/rehabilitate this condition in order to completely recover afterwards. 
•  Vestibular Migraine: Dizzy symptoms that come on intermittently over a long period of time. Often with an associated head/neck pain and occasionally visual disturbances. Vestibular rehabilitation is important in maintaining a high level of balance and ability to continue doing the things you enjoy in life. 
•  Vestibular Hypofunction: A significant loss of balance and associated difficulty walking and feeling generally dizzy and unwell.