Vestibular Physiotherapy in Hamilton: A Complete Guide to Treating Dizziness, Vertigo and Balance Pr

If you are suffering from these symptoms, you are not alone and there is help.

Balance and dizziness problems are extremely common and in most cases can be successfully treated by vestibular physiotherapy. Vestibular rehabilitation is a physiotherapy speciality that aims to reduce dizziness and improve balance and function through specific individualized treatment programs. Fortunately, vestibular physiotherapy is available at Sterling Physiotherapy in Hamilton, where our experienced physiotherapists can help you overcome these debilitating symptoms and return to doing all the things you love.

What is Vestibular Physiotherapy?

Vestibular Physiotherapy is also known as Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy or VRT for short.

It is a specialized form of physiotherapy that focuses on improving balance and reducing dizziness. The vestibular system in the inner ear works in conjunction with the eyes, muscles, joints and brain to help maintain balance and ensure we move correctly in the space around us. However, the vestibular system can become weakened due to illness, injury and aging and cause dizziness, vertigo, imbalance and other debilitating symptoms. Vestibular Physiotherapy uses individualized, evidence-based treatments to retrain the brain to reduce these symptoms and improve the patient's balance and movement.

Common Symptoms that may require Vestibular Physiotherapy

Most people are unaware that dizziness is not normal and that there are specialized treatments such as Vestibular Physiotherapy to treat it. Common symptoms that may suggest the need for Vestibular Physiotherapy include:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Loss of balance
• Unsteady gait
• Falling or feeling like you are going to fall
• Nausea
• Inability to move your head quickly
• Blurred vision when walking
• Motion sickness
• Feeling off-balance after a concussion

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms for more than a couple of days, we recommend seeking professional help as soon as possible.

Conditions that can be Treated with Vestibular Physiotherapy

There are a wide range of balance and dizziness-related conditions that can be successfully treated with Vestibular Physiotherapy including:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Labyrinthitis
• Ménière's Disease
• Post-Concussion Dizziness
• Age-related Balance Disorders
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness

How does Vestibular Physiotherapy work?

Every patient is different. That is why it is so important to see a qualified physiotherapist for a thorough assessment before beginning any Vestibular Physiotherapy treatment. During your initial physiotherapy assessment, your physiotherapist in Hamilton, ON, may ask you a number of questions including:

• Do you experience dizziness?
• What is the nature of your dizziness?
• Do you have good balance?
• What makes your dizziness better or worse?
• Are you able to move your neck freely?
• Are you experiencing any visual disturbances?

In addition, your physiotherapist may complete a functional assessment including your walking pattern and posture. This is to help establish your physiotherapy diagnosis and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.

Common treatments used in Vestibular Physiotherapy include:

• Canal Repositioning: Patients with BPPV often benefit from Canal Repositioning manoeuvres. These involve specific head movements to resolve BPPV-related dizziness.
• Gaze Stabilization: This involves specific eye and head movements to improve eye coordination.
• Balance Retraining: A set of progressive balance exercises are prescribed to help improve a patient's stability.
• Walking and Functional Retraining: Activities that aim to improve safety and confidence with walking and other activities of daily living.
• Habituation Breathing: Patients are guided through specific breathing exercises to help reduce dizziness.
• Neck Mobility Exercises: If stiff or restricted neck range of motion is contributing to the patient's dizziness, a set of specific neck mobility stretches may be prescribed.

The Benefits of Vestibular Physiotherapy

There are numerous benefits of Vestibular Physiotherapy. These include:

• Reduced dizziness and vertigo
• Reduced risk of falls
• Improved balance
• Improved walking patterns
• Improved coordination
• Improved concentration
• Improved ability to perform daily living tasks
• Ability to return to work, sport or other daily activities

Vestibular Physiotherapy has been extensively researched and is considered a highly effective treatment for a wide range of vestibular and balance-related conditions.

How long does it take to see results?

The length of treatment will vary depending on the condition being treated, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and their compliance with their home Vestibular Physiotherapy exercises. In the case of BPPV, treatment can often be completed in just a few treatment sessions. Other conditions such as vestibular neuritis and post-concussion dizziness may require more prolonged treatment. Your physiotherapist will be able to tell you how long your treatment is likely to take based on their assessment and your individual needs.

How to reduce dizziness before seeing a Physiotherapist

Before your physiotherapy assessment, you can help reduce your dizziness symptoms by:

• Taking things slowly
• Using handrails for support
• Keeping your home well lit
• Avoiding loose rugs and other potential hazards
• Staying well hydrated
• Avoiding sudden movements if you know they make your dizziness worse
• Only doing the exercises recommended by a health professional to help reduce your dizziness

When to see a Physiotherapist for Dizziness and Balance Problems

You should see a physiotherapist for balance and dizziness problems if you are experiencing:

• Persistent or recurrent dizziness
• Vertigo
• Poor balance and an unsteady gait
• A propensity to fall
• Dizziness as a result of a concussion or head injury
• Motion sickness affecting your ability to participate in daily activities
• Difficulty doing everyday tasks and activities due to dizziness or poor balance

Seeking prompt physiotherapy treatment will significantly improve your recovery and reduce your risk of falling.

Why choose Sterling Physiotherapy in Hamilton, ON?

We know that dizziness and balance problems can be incredibly frustrating and that you want to get on with your life. Here at Sterling Physiotherapy, our experienced physiotherapists can help treat your condition using a patient-centered approach. We offer individualized assessments and treatment programs to ensure you receive the best possible care and long-term results. We understand the impact these conditions can have on your life and are dedicated to helping you get the best possible outcomes with our one-on-one physiotherapy treatments. We look forward to helping you get your life back on track and be as active as you want to be.

Final Thoughts

Being plagued by balance and dizziness issues can make everyday activities extremely challenging and often frustrating. Fortunately, there are specialized treatments such as Vestibular Physiotherapy that can help reduce your debilitating symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to get a professional assessment as soon as possible to help determine the root cause and get you on the path to recovery.