Vestibular Rehabilitation
What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised form of physiotherapy designed to help people who experience dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or unsteadiness due to inner ear disorders. The vestibular system, located within the inner ear, plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, controlling eye movements, and helping us understand where our body is in space.
When this system is not working properly, it can lead to symptoms such as spinning sensations, light-headedness, imbalance, blurred vision with movement, or increased symptoms when turning the head or changing position. Vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted exercises and maneuvers to help retrain the brain to adapt to these changes and restore confidence in movement.
Who Can Benefit from Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation can help people experiencing symptoms related to inner ear and balance disorders, including:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
Unilateral or Bilateral Vestibular Loss
Persistent or Recurrent Vertigo and Dizziness
Benefits of Vestibular Rehabilitation
Reduce or eliminate vertigo and dizziness
Reduce or eliminate vertigo and dizziness
Improve balance and stability
Decrease nausea and visual disturbance
Restore confidence with movement
Reduce risk of falls
Improve ability to return to daily activities, work, and exercise
Enhance overall quality of life
Many people notice improvements within a few sessions, while others may require a longer programme depending on the condition and duration of symptoms.
What to Expect at Your Assessment
Your initial appointment will include a detailed assessment of your symptoms, medical history, balance, eye movements, and vestibular function. This allows your physiotherapist to identify the cause of your symptoms and tailor a treatment plan specifically for you.
Education is a key part of vestibular rehabilitation. Understanding why symptoms occur and how treatment helps can reduce anxiety and improve outcomes.
Take the First Step Towards Feeling Steady Again
Living with vertigo or dizziness can be frustrating and limiting, but effective treatment is available. Vestibular rehabilitation is a safe, evidence-based approach that addresses the underlying cause of inner ear-related balance problems and helps you regain control and confidence in your movement.
If you are experiencing ongoing dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues, vestibular rehabilitation may be the right treatment for you.
Understanding the Inner Ear and Balance
The inner ear contains delicate structures that send information to the brain about head movement and position. This information works together with vision and sensation from the muscles and joints to keep you balanced and stable.
If the inner ear is damaged, inflamed, or sending incorrect signals, the brain receives mixed messages. This can cause:
Vertigo (a spinning or moving sensation)
Dizziness or light-headedness
Unsteadiness or feeling “off balance”
Nausea
Difficulty focusing the eyes during movement
Increased symptoms when turning over in bed, bending down, or walking in busy environments
Vestibular rehabilitation helps the brain learn how to compensate for these faulty signals through specific and carefully progressed exercises.
How Vestibular Rehabilitation Works
Treatment may include:
Canalith Repositioning Techniques
For BPPV, specific head and body movements are used to move displaced inner ear crystals back to their correct position.
Gaze Stabilisation Exercises
These exercises improve the coordination between the eyes and inner ear, helping reduce blurred vision or dizziness when moving the head.
Balance and Postural Training
Exercises are used to improve stability in sitting, standing, and walking, particularly in situations that previously caused unsteadiness.
Habituation Exercises
Gradual exposure to movements or positions that trigger symptoms helps reduce the brain’s sensitivity over time.
Functional Movement Training
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring confidence in daily activities such as walking, turning, bending, and navigating busy environments.
Exercises are progressed carefully to challenge the system without overwhelming it, and patients are supported throughout the process.
Fees:
Initial Assessment
1 hour
Follow UP
30 mins
Follow Up
45 mins
Testimonials
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Helen worked with my 88 year old Mum following her knee replacement. I was very very impressed. Personable, knowledgeable, supportive, she got my Mum full mobilised and back playing bowls. She had her operation in November 2018 and was she was back playing bowls in January 2019. My Mum has now had a refurbishment of her replacement hip and I have no hesitation in going back to her and recommending her to others.
Karen Lane
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An inner ear problem last July that developed into vestibular neuritis led to problems with the muscles, nerves and joints in my neck which caused nausea, dizziness, vision problems as well as the usual aches and pain. In February I came to the Physio4 You team in despair. Rachel did a thorough vestibular assessment and was able to reassure me that the vestibular problem was resolved. I was then given Helen’s details for the neck issues. She has been a real Godsend. She is calm, friendly, reassuring and professional. After a thorough exam in which she listened carefully to my history of symptoms, she took time to explain what the problem was and a plan for treatment going forward. This problem has caused me real anxiety at times. She set my mind at rest that I will get better. I am still undergoing treatment but there has been a vast improvement. She takes time to answer all my questions and I always leave feeling so positive. I would thoroughly recommend their services
Jenny Snape
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Helen is a great physio with fantastic technical knowledge. She’s also a lovely person which makes sessions really enjoyable. Thanks for the help Helen! 🙂
Andrew Mcculloch
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Helen is a great physiotherapist! She thorough, extremely knowledgeable and very kind. Despite being busy, I never felt rushed. If the need arises I will definitely go to her again.
Susan Warren
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Excellent professional service! Helen really helped me with my injury. I would use her services again and recommend to family and friends!
Karen Rice Watercolour Channel