Vestibular physiotherapy, dizziness and vertigo

If you’ve ever experienced dizziness, you’ll know how disconcerting and strange it can feel. The body has a finely tuned system responsible for providing us with information about motion and head positioning. This system is called the vestibular system which is part of the body’s sensory system.

The information collected by the vestibular system is important as it allows us to keep our balance and stabilise our vision during movement. It also helps us to maintain an upright posture.

When the vestibular system is damaged or not functioning effectively, this information is not conveyed efficiently to the brain, potentially causing a range of problems including dizziness, vertigo and balance issues.

Dizziness is a common complaint

Dizziness is one of the most common health problems for adults according to Better Health Victoria.

And research suggests that dizziness can become more common as we age. One Australian study found that between 10-30% of older community-living population reported dizziness, often leading to functional disability and psychological distress.

Dizziness can have many symptoms including light-headedness, unsteadiness, headaches, blurred vision and feeling faint.[1] Often people with dizziness feel off-balance and disoriented.

There can be many different causes of dizziness so it’s best to see a doctor if you experience sudden, severe or recurrent dizziness.[2]

Vertigo and the causes of vertigo

Vertigo describes a range of different conditions which affect the vestibular system. It is characterised by a spinning sensation. Some people with vertigo also experience dizziness.

Other symptoms can include:

  • Light-headedness

  • Feeling faint and woozy

  • Being unsteady and off balance

  • Feeling like the room is spinning

  • Nausea and vomiting.

Common conditions which cause vertigo symptoms

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): occurs when tiny calcium particles become caught in one of the canals in the inner ear. These patients experience brief, intense episodes of dizziness and often report feeling like the room is spinning when moving their head or changing posture. 

Acute labyrinthitis/vestibular neuritis: an inflammatory condition in your inner ear in response to a viral infection in your vestibular system. Often patients will have constant severe dizziness for several days which will reduce in severity as the virus resolves.

Meniere’s disease:caused by a build-up of fluid inside the inner ear.

Cervicogenic dizziness/ vestibular migraines: caused by imbalances within the cervical spine which can result in unsteadiness, neck pain and severe headaches.

What to expect from vestibular physiotherapy

There are a range of techniques that can be used depending on how the patient presents, symptoms and any previous treatment.

Habituation exercises: a series of gentle movements designed to habituate and desensitise the vestibular system, enhancing tolerance to movement which can reduce dizziness.

Eye-head coordination exercises: these exercises are designed to improve focus and coordination of both your visual and vestibular systems.

Balance and gait exercises: these exercises involve challenging and strengthening the vestibular system to improve balance and confidence when walking.

Canalith repositioning technique: this technique is performed by a trained physiotherapist when treating BPPV. More commonly known as the Epley manoeuvre this treatment technique dislodges the caught calcium deposits from the inner ear canal so they can be absorbed by the body.

Embody Movement vestibular physiotherapy

Embody Movement Physiotherapists can help and support patients experiencing dizziness and vertigo.  Book an appointment with Courtney, Christina or Joanne for Vestibular Physiotherapy now.

[1] Better Health Channel, Dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders, accessed 30 January 2023.

[2] Mayo Clinic, Symptoms Dizziness: When to see a doctor, 3 December 2022

Rachel Morgan-Varlow