Vestibular Rehabilitation for Dizziness and Vertigo: Simple Exercises and When to Seek Help

Feeling like you're spinning, unsteady, or just plain dizzy can be a real pain. Sometimes it's just a quick thing, but other times it sticks around and messes with your balance, makes you less sure of yourself and gets in the way of everyday stuff.

That's where vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) can be a game-changer.

At Sterling Physiotherapy here in Hamilton, our team helps people get their balance back and kick dizziness to the curb. We do this with plans made just for you that help your brain relearn how to keep you steady.

So, What's the Vestibular System Anyway?

Your vestibular system lives in your inner ear, and it's super important for balance, how well you move, and knowing where you are in space. It teams up with your eyes and muscles to keep you on your feet.

When it's not working right, you might feel:

• Dizzy or like you're spinning (that's vertigo)
• Lightheaded or off-balance
• Nauseous or really sensitive to movement
• Like your vision blurs when you move
• Like it's hard to walk straight

Things like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, ear infections, or even a bump on the head can throw things off.

How Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Can Help

Vestibular physical therapy uses special workouts to teach your brain and body to deal with those inner ear changes.

The point of it all is to:

• Get you feeling balanced and stable again
• Make the dizziness and spinning stop (or at least get better)
• Make you less sensitive to motion
• Help you feel sure of yourself when you move

We make each plan just for you, based on what's going on with your symptoms and what we find out when we check you out.

What Kind of Exercises Are We Talking About?

These moves are safe, and physical therapists often show them to you once they know why you're feeling dizzy.

1.  Gaze Stabilization Exercises (VOR Exercises)

These help your eyes and brain get on the same page.

• Pick something to focus on (like a letter on the wall).
• Keep looking at it while you move your head from side to side, or up and down.
• Go slow at first, and then speed it up when you can.

2.  Balance Training

This helps your body stay steady.

• Try standing on one foot, walking heel-to-toe, or standing on stuff that's not flat.
• Use a chair or wall to hold on to at first.

3.  Habituation Exercises

These are to help you get used to motion.

• Do movements or get into positions that make you a little dizzy, over and over. This helps your brain get used to it.

4.  Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (for BPPV)

• If you're dizzy because of crystals in your inner ear that have moved, your therapist might help you do Epley or Semont moves to put them back where they belong. This can stop the vertigo fast.

Important: Make sure you do these with a professional so you know they're safe for you.

When Should You See a Physical Therapist?

Think about vestibular rehabilitation if you're dealing with:

• Dizziness that hangs around for more than a few days
• Feeling off balance or falling a lot
• Vertigo that happens when you move your head
• Blurry vision when you're moving around
• Dizziness after a concussion or ear infection

Ignoring this stuff can make it take longer to get better, or even make your balance worse.

What Happens When You Get Checked Out?

At Sterling Physiotherapy, we'll:

• Ask about your medical history and what's been going on
• Check your balance, how your eyes move, and how well you move
• Figure out what's making you dizzy and what part of your vestibular system is having issues
• Make a plan just for you to get you back on your feet

Tips for Dealing with Dizziness at Home

• Take it slow when you change positions (especially when you get up from lying down).
• Don't move your head too fast.
• Drink enough water and get some sleep.
• Do those exercises your physical therapist gave you.
• Lay off the caffeine and alcohol – they can make things worse for some people.

Why Choose Sterling Physiotherapy for Vestibular Rehab?

Our team gives you personal, real-deal vestibular therapy for dizziness, vertigo and balance problems.

We spend time figuring out why you're having these issues and help you get better with a step-by-step plan and support just for you.

Book your Vestibular Assessment now and start moving without worry.