The most common vestibular conditions include:

• BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)

• Vestibular migraine

• Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis

• Meniere’s disease

• Vestibular dysfunction due to head injury or concussion

• PPPD (persistent postural perceptual dizziness)

As many as 35% of adults have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction, and 80% of people aged 65+ have experienced dizziness. BPPV, the most common vestibular disorder, accounts for over half of these cases.

In many people, vertigo is idiopathic (meaning there is no known cause). Vertigo can, however, also come on after trauma (including whiplash), ear infection, dental work, long term antibiotic use, or sudden pressure changes (such as scuba diving or flying in an airplane).

How can we help?

Vertigo and other vestibular symptoms are debilitating. Vestibular physiotherapy (or vestibular rehabilitation) intends to alleviate these symptoms, especially dizziness and vertigo, and retrain the vestibular system to improve daily functioning.

When you come to physiotherapy, you can expect to undergo a detailed assessment of your symptoms. This includes some screening tests for serious pathologies, in which case we will refer you to your doctor for appropriate investigation.

Your treatment will depend on which condition you have, but may consist of balance exercises, eye exercises, repositioning manoeuvres, habituation exercises, or neck stretches.