Vestibular Assessment & Treatment

 

What is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is a part of your inner ear that helps you to control balance. When it has been injured you may experience dizziness, vertigo and/or balance issues.
The term dizziness refers to a range of uncomfortable sensations, including feeling lightheaded, feeling faint, losing your normal sense of balance, feeling woozy and having a false feeling of your body spinning around or moving to one side. The term vertigo refers more specifically to a false sense of spinning or sideways movement.

 

Who can benefit from Vestibular Rehabilitation?
The most important start is to ensure a thorough assessment to achieve a correct diagnosis. Once our certified vestibular physiotherapist has reached a diagnosis an individualised treatment plan will be developed tailored to your needs. Appropriate treatment and home exercise program will be provided to help you achieve your goals as quickly as possible.

​

What are possible diagnoses that Vestibular Assessment can detect?

 

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Caused by calcium crystals floating in the ear that cause bouts of vertigo on changing positions (e.g. getting out of bed)

 

Labyrinthitis/Vestibular Neuritis (Inflammation of the Inner Ear)

 

Perilymphatic Fistula

Caused by intense pressure in inner ear, or a blow to the head, which results in a hole between middle and inner ear

 

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)

Slow-growing tumour of the eighth cranial nerve which can be corrected by surgery

 

Meniere’s Disease

Over-accumulation of fluid in the inner ear that causes attacks of vertigo, ringing in the ear and fluctuant hearing loss

 

Vestibular Migraine

Dizziness associated with the auras of a migraine headache

 

Peripheral Hypofunction

Loss of balance and dizziness often associated with aging and alcoholism/drug induced ototoxicity

​

Central Vestibular Disorders

Balance and dizziness following central lesions following events such as stroke or traumatic brain injury

 

Mal de Debarquement Syndrome

Produces disorientation in the aftermath