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Sterling Physiotherapy is a trusted clinic in Hamilton with 100+ real Google reviews for Physiotherapy, Vestibular, TMJ Dysfunction, Massage therapy and Custom orthotics.
Picture this: You open your eyes in bed, reach for your phone to kill the alarm - then everything tilts. This isn’t just feeling woozy; it's like being stuck on a spinning ride with no way out. You clutch the sheets tight, shut your lids hard, hoping things calm down fast. A wave of queasiness crawls up from your gut.
It fades within sixty seconds, yet suddenly you’re scared stiff about shifting your neck.
If this feels familiar, there’s a strong chance you’re dealing with vertigo. It’s one of the most unsettling sensations a person can experience, yet it’s far more common than most people think. Here in Hamilton, we regularly meet people of all ages who have stopped driving, stepped away from work, or avoided simple daily movements because that spinning feeling feels overwhelming.
The good news? In many cases, it is not a long-term issue and does not mean there is something wrong with your brain. Often, it’s a small disruption inside your inner ear, and it can be treated effectively.
At Sterling Physiotherapy, we focus on vestibular rehabilitation. No medication. Just targeted treatment that helps your body restore its balance system.
Before looking at solutions, it’s important to understand your symptoms. Dizziness can mean different things.
Dizziness may feel like lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or the sense that you might faint. You may feel floaty or off-balance.
Vertigo, on the other hand, feels like movement when there is none. The room may seem to spin, tilt, or sway. If you feel like everything is swirling around you, even while standing still, it is often related to your inner ear balance system.
Deep inside your ear lies a small structure called the vestibular labyrinth. Think of it as your internal balance guide. Instead of pointing north, it tells your brain where your head is positioned in space.
This system contains three curved canals filled with fluid and tiny hair-like sensors. These sensors detect head movement and send signals to your brain so you can stay upright and steady.
The most common reason people in Hamilton experience sudden spinning is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This condition causes short bursts of spinning triggered by head movements, such as rolling in bed or looking up.
Inside your inner ear are tiny calcium carbonate crystals called otoconia. They normally sit in a structure called the utricle. However, due to aging, minor head injury, or illness, these crystals can become loose and drift into one of the fluid-filled canals where they do not belong.
When you move your head, these misplaced crystals shift within the canal, disturbing the fluid and sending false signals to your brain. Your eyes may move rapidly back and forth, a reaction known as nystagmus, and the room may feel like it’s spinning.
Some people are prescribed medication such as Serc to manage symptoms. While medication may reduce nausea or dizziness temporarily, it does not correct the root cause. Pills cannot reposition inner ear crystals.
Vestibular physiotherapy focuses on precise movements to guide those crystals back to where they belong. One of the most effective techniques is the Epley Maneuver.
During your assessment, we determine which canal is affected. Then, using a sequence of specific head and body positions, we use gravity to move the crystals back into place. Many people feel significant improvement within one to three sessions.
Although BPPV is common, it is not the only cause of dizziness. Vestibular physiotherapy can also help with:
If you feel nervous about coming in while dizzy, that’s completely understandable. Your comfort and safety are always our priority.
If BPPV is confirmed, treatment may begin immediately.
If you experience an episode before your appointment, consider the following:
Vertigo may not be visible to others, but it can disrupt your confidence, independence, and daily life. Simple movements may feel risky. Standing still can feel uncertain.
You don’t have to wait for it to pass or hope it goes away on its own. Effective treatment is available right here in Hamilton.
Book your vestibular assessment today.
Sterling Physiotherapy
Located inside Rexall
505 Rymal Rd E, Hamilton, ON
Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physiotherapy designed to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders. It uses specific exercises and repositioning techniques to retrain the brain and inner ear to work together properly.
Vertigo is often caused by issues in the inner ear. The most common cause is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), where tiny calcium crystals move into the wrong part of the ear. Other causes include vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, concussion, and age-related balance changes.
BPPV usually causes short episodes of spinning when you change head positions, such as rolling in bed, looking up, or bending down. A vestibular assessment, including positional testing, can confirm the diagnosis.
The Epley maneuver is a series of guided head and body movements performed by a trained physiotherapist. These movements use gravity to reposition misplaced crystals in the inner ear, often relieving symptoms within one to three sessions.
