Vestibular rehabilitation is an effective way to treat vertigo and dizziness. After an evaluation of the system responsible for balance in the ear, your physiotherapist will propose a treatment plan to eliminate your symptoms or reduce their intensity, duration and frequency in order to regain your quality of life.
Why consult a vestibular rehabilitation physiotherapist?
A physical therapist with advanced training in vestibular rehabilitation can treat mild to severe vertigo and dizziness, whether recent or longstanding. Using various tests and devices, the physiotherapist evaluates the functioning of the vestibular system (responsible for balance in the ear) in order to identify the cause of your symptoms and perform the appropriate treatment techniques.
Vertigo and dizziness can be caused by different health conditions, for example:
- Labyrinthitis
- Meniere's disease
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular neuritis (or neuronitis)
- Vestibular hypofunction
- Concussion
Dysfunction of the vestibular system can also cause other symptoms such as balance disorders, visual disturbances, nausea and headaches which are treated in vestibular rehabilitation.
It is an approach frequently used in collaboration with a doctor, an ENT and even a pharmacist if a drug is involved in your symptoms.
What is the vestibular system?
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, below the temporal bone of the skull. It plays an important role in maintaining balance, orienting the body in space and coordinating reflex movements of the head, neck and eyes. These reflexes are important for looking at moving objects as we move. They also allow us not to be dizzy when the car's windscreen wipers are working or when we quickly turn around to look behind us, for example.
