Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised form of physiotherapy designed to alleviate dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues by improving the function of the vestibular system. In this article, we’ll explain why vestibular rehabilitation is critical for people like you suffering from vestibular disorders and how we can help improve quality of life. If you’re experiencing dizziness and imbalance, or vertigo, this article is essential reading for understanding your treatment options and getting back to a normal life.
Article Outline
- What is Vestibular Rehabilitation, and How Does it Help Dizziness?
- Why Choose Physiotherapy for Vestibular Conditions?
- What Causes Dizziness and Balance Problems?
- Understanding Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- How Physiotherapy Treats Vestibular Disorders
- The Role of the Vestibular System in Balance
- What to Expect During Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: A Key Component of Vestibular Rehabilitation
- How Vestibular Physiotherapy Helps with Vestibular Compensation
- When to Seek Physiotherapy for Dizziness and Balance Issues?
1. What is Vestibular Rehabilitation, and How Does it Help Dizziness?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialist physiotherapy service offered by some of our Physiotherapists specifically trained to assess and treat vestibular problems. If you suffer with common symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo (room spin), nausea, vomiting and loss of balance we can help. By targeting the vestibular system—part of the inner ear responsible for maintaining balance we can reduce symptoms of dizziness through a customised treatment programme.
Our physiotherapy treatment aims to help patients recover from various vestibular disorders by improving their ability to maintain balance and reducing the frequency and intensity of vertigo episodes. Whether you’re suffering from these symptoms or another vestibular disorder, vestibular rehabilitation can provide a structured approach to regaining balance and preventing dizziness symptoms.
2. Why Choose Physiotherapy for Vestibular Conditions?
Physiotherapy is an effective treatment option for vestibular conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis and migraine-associated dizziness. Vestibular physiotherapy can help retrain the brain and central nervous system to compensate for inner ear imbalances, enabling patients to regain their normal activities without the fear of dizziness or loss of balance.
Our team of specialist physiotherapists will design a customised treatment and rehabilitation programme that focuses on vestibular exercises to help improve your balance system and vestibular function. With the support of a skilled physiotherapist, many vestibular issues can be effectively managed through exercise-based treatments.
3. What Causes Dizziness and Balance Problems?
Dizziness and balance problems are often caused by issues within the vestibular system, located in the inner ear. Conditions like BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and labyrinthitis can disrupt the vestibular organs, leading to vertigo, loss of balance, and dizziness. If there is a problem with one or both of the inner ears e.g. caused by a virus or loose/build-up of chalk crystals in the inner ear, then inaccurate information is sent to the brain, which can cause the symptoms described above.
In many cases, physiotherapy can help by targeting the underlying vestibular condition. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises are designed to help the brain adapt to changes in the vestibular system and reduce dizziness symptoms over time.
4. Understanding Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of room spin and dizziness. BPPV occurs when small calcium particles in the inner ear become dislodged, leading to episodes of vertigo when the head moves in certain directions. This positional vertigo is often triggered by head movement and can make sufferers feel dizzy or off-balance.
The good news is that BPPV can be effectively treated with physiotherapy. The Epley manoeuvre, a technique used by physiotherapists, helps reposition the dislodged calcium crystals within the inner ear, reducing dizziness symptoms. After a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist will guide you through exercises to alleviate the symptoms of BPPV. Although you will find the Epley manoeuvre will provoke dizziness, symptoms are often resolved with just one session.
5. How Physiotherapy Treats Vestibular Disorders
Physiotherapy treatment for vestibular disorders involves exercises designed to retrain the brain to process signals from the vestibular system. Vestibular rehab often includes gaze stabilisation exercises and balance training to help patients regain control over their movements and reduce the risk of falling.
Our vestibular service focuses on improving the vestibular organs’ function, helping individuals to overcome symptoms of dizziness. With the guidance of a specialist vestibular physiotherapist, patients can achieve significant improvements in their daily lives.
6. The Role of the Vestibular System in Balance
The vestibular system refers to the two inner ear balance organs (left and right) that detect head movements. The inner ears, eyes and sensory receptors in the body send information to the brain to enable us to balance. When the vestibular system is damaged or not functioning correctly, it can lead to dizziness and balance problems.
A comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation programme aims to restore balance and reduce dizziness by helping the brain compensate for the vestibular system’s dysfunction. In addition, exercises which work on improving balance and reducing dizziness can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life.
7. What to Expect During Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
Our vestibular physiotherapy service begins with a thorough assessment by a specialist physiotherapist. This assessment can take up to an hour and includes evaluating the patient’s symptoms, history, and any vestibular issues they may be experiencing. Based on this assessment, a personalised treatment plan is developed, often including prescribed exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness.
Physiotherapy treatment typically involves a combination of gaze stabilisation exercises, balance exercises, and manoeuvres like the Epley manoeuvre. The aim of vestibular rehabilitation is to help patients regain control over their symptoms and return to normal activities without the fear of dizziness.
8. Gaze Stabilisation Exercises: A Key Component of Vestibular Rehabilitation
Gaze stabilisation exercises are an essential part of vestibular rehabilitation. These exercises help improve the brain’s ability to stabilise vision during head movements, reducing dizziness and improving balance. By incorporating gaze stability exercises into a rehabilitation programme, physiotherapists can help patients regain control over their symptoms and prevent future episodes of dizziness.
For patients suffering from chronic dizziness or vestibular problems, these exercises are vital for regaining balance and reducing the frequency of dizziness attacks.
9. How Vestibular Physiotherapy Helps with Vestibular Compensation
Vestibular compensation is the process by which the brain adapts to changes in the vestibular system. When a vestibular disorder occurs, such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, the brain can compensate for the loss of balance signals from the inner ear. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in facilitating this compensation through exercises designed to challenge the vestibular system and improve balance.
By focusing on vestibular compensation, patients can experience fewer symptoms like dizziness and unsteadiness, allowing them to return to normal daily activities. These exercises can be very effective when carried out regularly. However, exercises may initially make symptoms worse, and recovery can be slow and take several months.
10. When to Seek Physiotherapy for Dizziness and Balance Issues?
If you’re experiencing dizziness or balance issues that affect your daily life, it’s essential to seek help from a specialist physiotherapist. Vestibular physiotherapy can provide effective treatment options for various vestibular disorders, including BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and labyrinthitis.
Patients who undergo vestibular rehabilitation often experience significant improvements in their symptoms, allowing them to return to normal activities without the fear of dizziness. If you’re suffering from dizziness or balance problems, contact our team for a thorough assessment and personalised rehabilitation programme. Alternatively, contact the team for further information on vestibular rehabilitation.
Key Takeaways
Seek physiotherapy if you’re experiencing dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting or vertigo that disrupts your daily life.
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised physiotherapy treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems.
Conditions like BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and labyrinthitis can be effectively managed through physiotherapy.
Gaze stabilisation exercises and balance training are key components of vestibular rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy helps facilitate vestibular compensation, enabling the brain to adapt to changes in the vestibular system.
