Treatments - Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an exercise-based treatment program designed to promote vestibular adaptation and substitution. Your vestibular system is part of your inner ear and it provides you with a sense of balance and equilibrium.

Dysfunctions of the inner ear, central nervous system or general deconditioning can cause symptoms of dizziness, feeling unsteady, vertigo (a spinning sensation) or motion sensitivity. Treatment focuses on helping to enhance nerve pathways between the inner ear, eyes, the brain and your musculoskeletal system using various movements that challenge your balance, eye and head movements.

Begin paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), also known as, loose crystals in your ear, can cause a disabling sensation of vertigo. It is a symptom of disturbance in the vestibular system. It can be accompanied with other symptoms such as nausea and light headedness. The common triggers of the symptoms include bending forward, changing position in bed (rolling over), getting up from lying down or sitting.

There is no known cause for these symptoms, it can occur for a few days or linger a few weeks. It can disappear for a period of time and then start again with no specific incident or explanation. It can also appear after a traumatic head injury.

Upon an accurate assessment, physiotherapy treatment is largely successfully at helping people recover from symptoms of BPPV, often within 1-3 treatment sessions. Treatment involves an accurate diagnosis and specific repositioning techniques that are safe to perform in most individuals, even in those who have had many birthdays.