Vestibular Rehabilitation in Nundah & Zillmere

Vestibular Physiotherapy is a specialised branch of Physiotherapy that assess, diagnoses, treats and manages disorders of the vestibular system. The vestibular system consists of 5 sensory organs – 3 semicircular canals and two otolith organs housed inside the skull.

The sensory organs respond to movement of the head to create information that is sent to the brain for interpretation of a person’s movement direction and movement speed. The brain will convert this information into muscle activation to coordinate our sense of balance, eye and head movements. The vestibular system enables us to keep moving, walk, run, prevent a fall and maintain clear vision. Pathology in one or both ears or in the part of the brain responsible for interpreting this information can result in a number of symptoms.

Such symptoms include:

Vertigo
Dizziness
Light Headedness
Cognitive Fog (difficulty thinking)
Blurred Vision
Disequilibrium (feeling of being off balance)
Headache and sore eyes
Neck stiffness and neck pain

Your physiotherapist will commence by getting your story and what has brought you for assessment. This is followed by a series of specific vestibular assessments that aim to determine what and where the vestibular disorder is occuring. This can include movements that reproduce your symptoms by positioning the head in a certain position, or by challenging the vestibular system.

Once your therapist has completed their assessment they will devise a treatment plan with you which may include one or a combination of the following:

Canalith repositioning; a series of coordinated head movements/positions BPPV (vertigo)

Habituation: repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that provoke dizziness, in a controlled manner.

Gaze Stabilisation: exercises to improve control of eye movements so vision remains clear during head movement

Balance Training: exercises used to improve steadiness on feet to ensure daily activities for self-care, work, and leisure can be performed safely.