Vestibular Rehabilitation

Improving your balance will give you greater safety and independence.

Do you suffer from symptoms of vertigo,
imbalance, or dizziness?

These symptoms can be due to many different causes, but a large percentage

arise from the vestibular system (inner ear). Vertigo is the illusion of movement of one’s self, or

the environment. It is commonly felt as a spinning sensation.

With Vestibular Rehabilitation, the physiotherapist can assess and effectively treat your vestibular problems using an exercise based and manual therapy approach. Depending on the cause, your vertigo may be completely cleared up in one to three sessions.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo due to a problem in the vestibular system. It occurs in adults of all ages, but is more common in older individuals, and more common in women than in men. People with BPPV will complain of vertigo and possibly nausea, particularly when bending forwards, looking up, showering, rolling over in bed, and lying down. This may be accompanied by a feeling of imbalance, not walking straight, or bumping into walls.

BPPV is caused when small crystals (calcium carbonate crystals) make their way from one part of the vestibular system to the semicircular canals, an area where they are not supposed to be. It may occur following head trauma, whiplash, inner ear infections, and aging, but in the majority of patients the cause is unknown. In 50% of people, it will resolve on its own. After remission, in 40% of the people with BPPV, it will come again. When it does not resolve on its own, physiotherapy treatment is very effective using a simple manoeuvre to reposition the crystals (the most common one is called the Epley manoeuvre).

After one treatment session, 75% of people will find resolution; while after three sessions over 90% of people will be successfully treated.

If you are still having trouble with balance or motion sensitivity, physiotherapy treatment will address these areas and prescribe appropriate exercises to improve your symptoms.

We treat vertigo from other causes as well such as acute vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, or concussions.

To book an appointment or for more information, please call our

Wilson Centre Clinic (604) 942-4115 or our Hyde Creek Clinic (604) 945-6644