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Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialised form of therapy designed to treat balance and dizziness issues caused by problems in the inner ear or vestibular system. At iPS Physiotherapy, we offer vestibular rehabilitation to help patients manage conditions such as vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders. Our physiotherapists use a combination of exercises and techniques to improve balance, reduce symptoms of dizziness, and help you regain your confidence in movement.
*Please book an Initial Consultation if you have not been seen before or if you have a new condition that needs assessment.
Our highly trained and specialist vestibular physiotherapist Liz Davies has worked in this field of physiotherapy since 2010 and regularly attends courses and conferences to ensure that her knowledge and skills are up to date with the latest research and clinical findings.
Our service is one of only a very small number of physiotherapy clinics in Wales that offers expert vestibular physiotherapy. Conditions such as visual vertigo, labyrinthitis, BPPV, cervical vertigo and post- concussion syndrome may benefit from such specialised therapy. Movement and function can be affected by these disorders as people tend to avoid movements that make them feel dizzy or off balance. This actually worsens their balance as the body's internal balance systems are not being used as often as they would be normally, leading to worsened functional balance and mobility. A vicious cycle ensues as people lose confidence in moving. Secondary problems can then develop such as stiff painful joints, muscle weakness and decreased mobility due to this more sedentary lifestyle adopted.
The impact that vestibular disorders can have on an individual's quality of life can also contribute to emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. Vestibular rehabilitation aims to work on and improve the problems related to the vestibular disorder, helping the individual return to improved function and enhancing their overall quality of life.
Vestibular physiotherapy is designed to address the underlying causes of dizziness and balance issues. It involves targeted exercises that help retrain the brain and vestibular system to process balance signals more effectively. Our physiotherapists assess your symptoms and use techniques such as gaze stabilization, balance exercises, and positional maneuvers to reduce symptoms like vertigo and improve your overall balance. The goal of vestibular rehabilitation is to restore normal function and help you return to everyday activities without the fear of dizziness or falls.
This condition gives the person a false sensation that the world around the body is spinning. It can be triggered by certain movements such as going from sitting to lying, rolling over in bed or moving the head up and down. The duration of the spinning feeling normally lasts anywhere between 5 seconds and 2 minutes at a time.
BPPV is caused when crystals of the inner ear (of which have a very important role in balance) become loose and move into the wrong part of the ear. Very often BPPV will resolve all on its own. However, for those who do not get better quickly on their own, repositioning manoeuvres performed by a trained specialist can move the crystals back to where they should be. This can offer instant relief in most cases.
Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the part of the inner ear called the labyrinth. The labyrinth controls balance and hearing. When the organs of the ear are inflamed the information sent to the brain will be different from the affected ear. This can make people feel dizzy, disorientated and/or nauseous.
This condition presents itself as a feeling of dizziness and unsteadiness for almost every day over many months. Fatigue, stress, complex visual stimuli and movement can bring these symptoms on.
This condition is simultaneously used with labyrithitis. Vestibular neuritis is an infection and inflammation of the inner ear causing feelings of dizziness disorientation and nausea.
Vestibular rehabilitation can be very effective in managing dizziness, vertigo and imbalance following a concussion. Vestibular rehabilitation aims at normalising an individual's vestibular responses following the concussion.
Head trauma can directly damage the vestibular organ as well as the brain stem and other neurological pathways and lead to vestibular disorders. Often, patients get a BPPV following trauma to the head due to dislodgement of the crystals in the inner ear during the impact.
Cervical vertigo is dizziness related to neck posture and neck movement. Cervical vertigo is often caused by arthritis of the neck, whiplash injuries, neck trauma or surgery to the neck.
Receptive input from the neck participates in the coordination of eye, head and body posture as well as awareness of the body in space. Neck mechanisms are also directly involved in balance control, and cardiovascular control. Therefore experiencing dizziness with neck movements could be due to one or more reasons. Specialist Vestibular physiotherapy will be able to differentiate the cause of the cervical vertigo and advise on appropriate treatment.
Typical treatment for cervical vertigo will include neck range of movement exercises, manual therapy, postural advice and treatments to decrease neck muscle tension.
Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialized form of therapy that aims to treat balance issues and dizziness caused by vestibular (inner ear) disorders. It uses targeted exercises and techniques to retrain the brain and improve balance function, helping reduce dizziness and restore normal movement patterns.
Vestibular physiotherapy uses specific maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver, to reposition the inner ear crystals that cause benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This can relieve the intense dizziness associated with vertigo. Other exercises focus on improving balance and reducing the brain’s reliance on faulty balance signals.
The duration of vestibular physiotherapy treatment depends on the severity and nature of the condition. Some patients experience relief after a few sessions, while others may require a longer treatment plan. Your physiotherapist will assess your progress and adjust the treatment accordingly.
We want to ensure that all of our patients receive the information they need to make an informed decision about their treatment. If you have any questions or if you require assistance with anything, please let us know.
The Independent Physiotherapy Service
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