Vestibular Physiotherapy
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised type of physiotherapy designed to treat patients suffering from vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance. This treatment is exercise-based, and the exercises have been proven to promote central nervous system compensation for balance disorders.
Maintaining balance relies on sensory information from the balance organs in our inner ears, as well as our vision, the sensors on the soles of our feet, and our joints. These sensors send information about our head and body position in space to the balance centers in the brain. This information is crucial for maintaining balance. If the information from either our balance organs or the brain’s coordinating pathways is incorrect, the result may be dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and imbalance. Although this condition can be frightening and may cause anxiety, it is usually not serious or life-threatening.
The most common causes of imbalance and dizziness include:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Tiny crystals inside the balance organs become loose, causing brief attacks of vertigo precipitated by head movement.
Ménière’s disease: An abnormality of the fluid in the inner ear that can cause hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, fullness in the ear, and imbalance.
Vestibular neuritis (labyrinthitis): A virus or infection that can damage the balance organs, causing vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and imbalance.
Acoustic neuroma: A rare benign tumour around the ear that can lead to hearing and balance problems.
Migraine-related balance disorders: Cause vertigo and imbalance.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD): A condition of chronic dizziness arising from vestibular disorders.
Age-related changes
Head injuries
What Can We Do to Help?
At Cranfold, Lisa will carry out a thorough assessment to establish the root of your problem before devising a customised program of balance exercises to help resolve your symptoms.
Your treatment program will include special exercises tailored to your condition. You may also receive dietary and lifestyle advice.
If you have BPPV, it can be treated with a simple head manoeuvre called the Epley’s manoeuvre.
Please call us at 01483 267747 or book online for an assessment by our vestibular-trained physiotherapist, Lisa Batchelor, to find out whether physiotherapy can help with your dizziness and balance issues.
