Vestibular Physiotherapy
Vestibular physiotherapy looks at assessing, treating, and managing the complex systems within our bodies that maintain our balance and equilibrium. There are a variety of issues that can arise from these systems such as dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. These symptoms can be debilitating and stressful, so you should be excited to hear that physiotherapy may be able to help address these concerns!
The peripheral vestibular system is a collection of small organs that reside in the inner ear, and have a variety of sensors that detect how our head moves in space. Using information from the vestibular system, the visual system, and the musculoskeletal system, our brain is able to maintain our balance as we go about our day to day routines. As you can imagine, this is a very intricate operation, so a disruption in any one of the aforementioned systems can cause symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo, which can lead to problems with balance.
You should always start with your primary care provider when experiencing dizziness and vertigo, to rule out any more concerning causes of these symptoms. If they feel it is appropriate, they will refer you to physiotherapy. Your therapist will perform a clinical exam that includes a subjective history, and a series of tests that will look at your vestibular-ocular function, positional tolerances, neck movements, and balance abilities. We will put together an i
ndividualized treatment plan to address your concerns, or refer you to a different healthcare professional if we feel there are other areas that need to be addressed.
