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Over 1 in 3 people experience issues like vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance in their lifetime. Dizziness and balance issues are more common than you might think—and they can have a serious impact on your quality of life. Whether it’s feeling like the room is spinning, a sense of unsteadiness, or motion sensitivity, these symptoms may be linked to your vestibular system.
What Is Your Vestibular System?
Your vestibular system is in your inner ear and has different sensory organs that relay information to your brain to detect movement, which then helps you balance. The vestibular system helps your body understand how you’re moving, and how things around you are moving to help maintain your steadiness.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy is a specialized form of physiotherapy that targets this system to combat dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. Vestibular physiotherapy involves a tailored exercise program designed to retrain the brain and inner ear to better process signals related to head movement and position.
Common Symptoms We Treat
People with vestibular disorders often report:
- Vertigo (spinning sensation)
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Unsteadiness or frequent falls
- Nausea
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing, especially with head movement
- Motion sensitivity
These symptoms may stem from conditions like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which occurs when tiny calcium crystals shift into the wrong part of your inner ear. It is the most common cause of vertigo! Some other conditions that may cause dizziness include vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, or post-concussion syndrome; however, dizziness can also occur without a clear diagnosis.
How Do We Treat It?
At Hempstead Therapy Centre, treatment begins with a detailed assessment of your symptoms, balance, eye movements, and gait. Based on your individual findings, your physiotherapist may use:
- Repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV
- Balance and gait training
- Habituation exercises to reduce dizziness with movement
- Gaze stabilization exercises to improve visual focus with head movement
- Education to help you understand your condition and manage symptoms between visits
Your program will be specifically tailored to your needs, with exercises that can be progressed as your brain adapts.
Why It Matters
Vestibular dysfunction doesn’t just affect balance—it can lead to anxiety, avoidant behaviours, and a reduced ability to perform daily tasks. With the right treatment, many patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms and return to normal function. Studies show that vestibular rehabilitation helps reduce your risk of falling, improve your balance, and reduce your dizziness symptoms.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve been feeling dizzy for more than a few days, are experiencing vertigo episodes, or feel off-balance without explanation, it’s worth having an assessment. Early intervention can prevent symptoms from worsening and help you feel more confident on your feet.
Book an assessment with one of our physiotherapists and take the first step toward feeling steady again.
Olivia Ferrer