Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular Rehabilitation is a specialised form of Physiotherapy which involves graded exercises to re-educate and train the vestibular system leading to reduced dizziness, imbalance and visual disturbance.

The vestibular system includes the apparatus located in the inner ear that are responsible for maintaining balance, spatial orientation and the coordination of this with movement. Vestibular disorders arise when a condition or injury affects part of this system, which results in confused signals being sent to the brain. This will cause symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbance, nausea, headaches, motion sensitivity or imbalance.

Vestibular disorders often affect participation in all aspects of life (work, social, leisure and roles within the home), which reduces quality of life and will lead to changes in mood.

​Vestibular Rehabilitation consists of graded exercises of the head, eye and neck as well as balance and strength training. Manual treatment to help re-calibrate your vestibular system may also be appropriate such as the Epley Manoeuvre. It is an evidence-based treatment aimed at reducing symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbance and imbalance through re-educating and training the vestibular and balance system. Treatment programs are personalised, dependent on assessment findings and advice is given to help manage symptoms with daily activities.

Some of the common vestibular conditions that are routinely treated with vestibular rehabilitation include: are:

– Vestibular Neuritis
– Labyrinthitis
– Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
– Vestibular migraine
– Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
– Meniere’s disease
– Acoustic Neuroma
– Age related dizziness and imbalance
– Stroke related dizziness
– Vestibulopathy (Vestibular hypofunction)
– Mal de Debarquement (MdDs)

Claire has been treating me during my recovery journey for a vestibular condition. Her gentle and caring approach to understanding my illness was a massive relief as my symptoms were varied and complex. Claire took time to understand the complicated background surrounding my symptoms looking at it with me methodically and gently to best plan my treatment. Claire looked at various areas of my life and we worked together to move forward with lifestyle changes, exercises and treatment that I could realistically work with. Claire has also taught me about my condition, which in turn has given me the insight on how to best manage it in the future. 
Kate, 45

Your Specialists

Claire Parker

Practice Owner and Director
Physiotherapist & Acupuncturist
MSc, BSc, HCPC, MCSP, MBAcC, MACPIVR