Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition itself. It is the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.

There are degrees of vertigo ranging from barely noticeable, or it may be so severe that you find it difficult to keep your balance and do everyday tasks. Vertigo can cause falls and other injuries if left untreated.

Attacks of vertigo can develop suddenly and last for a few seconds, or they may last much longer. If you have severe vertigo, your symptoms may be constant and last for several days, making normal life exceedingly difficult.

Other symptoms associated with vertigo may include:

· loss of balance causing falls or making normal daily activities impossible or difficult.

· feeling nauseated including vomiting

· dizziness

There are many causes of vertigo or dizziness, some of which may be treated by Prime Physiotherapy. Some treatments offer immediate relief of symptoms, for example treatment for BPPV involves positioning your head in systematic positions to remove crystals (otoconia) from the semicircular vestibular canals or cupula. Other treatments involve eye and head exercises to reset/retrain the complex relationship between the vestibular system, the skeletal system, the ocular system and the balance centre in the brain.

Physiotherapists at Prime Physiotherapy utilise Frenzel vestibular goggles to accurately assess and treat your vestibular problem and identify if referral on to a neurologist is required. Physiotherapy treatment of vestibular problems is effective and can give lasting relief of vertigo and dizziness. See example below of nystagmus related to BPPV.