How Vestibular Physiotherapy Can Help with Dizziness & More

Dizziness can feel unsettling, leaving you unsteady and uncertain with even the simplest movements. Whether it’s a sudden spinning sensation, a loss of balance, or ongoing lightheadedness, these symptoms can interfere with daily life and make routine activities difficult to enjoy. The good news is that dizziness is often linked to issues in the vestibular system, and with the right treatment, recovery is possible.

Let’s explore how vestibular physiotherapy in Edmonton works, the conditions it can help with, and what to expect during treatment.

Understanding the Vestibular System

Located in the inner ear, the vestibular system plays an important role in balance and spatial orientation. It helps the brain process movement and position, allowing your body to respond appropriately to changes in direction, speed, and posture. When this system is disrupted, signals to the brain can become confused, leading to dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness.

It is helpful to understand the differences between these common terms:

• Dizziness often feels like a sense of unsteadiness or disorientation.

• Vertigo is the sensation that either you or your surroundings are spinning.

• Lightheadedness usually feels like faintness or a floating sensation.

Recognizing these distinctions is the first step to finding the right treatment.

Common Conditions Treated with Vestibular Physiotherapy in Edmonton

Vestibular physiotherapy addresses a variety of conditions that affect balance and coordination. Some of the most common include:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Caused by tiny crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear moving into the wrong position. Specific repositioning maneuvers can quickly and effectively resolve symptoms.

• Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear or surrounding nerves can cause severe dizziness. Therapy helps restore balance and retrain the brain to adjust.

• Concussion: Dizziness is a frequent symptom after a concussion, and vestibular therapy can play a crucial role in restoring normal function.

What Does Vestibular Physiotherapy in Edmonton Involve?

Your first session will begin with a comprehensive assessment. A physiotherapist will review your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and perform physical tests to understand how your balance system is functioning. This careful evaluation helps identify the root cause of your dizziness.

Once a treatment plan is in place, therapy may include specific head and body maneuvers designed to reposition crystals in the inner ear. If your dizziness is triggered by certain movements, habituation exercises can gradually reduce sensitivity by gently exposing you to those motions.

Another key part of treatment is gaze stability training, which improves the coordination between your eyes and head. These exercises make everyday activities such as reading, walking, and turning more comfortable. Together, these strategies retrain the brain and body to restore balance and reduce dizziness over time.

Regain Your Stability with Vestibular Physiotherapy in Edmonton

Living with dizziness can be overwhelming, but vestibular therapy can make a life-changing difference. By targeting the source of your symptoms, it restores confidence, steadiness, and independence.

At Reach Sports Physiotherapy & Hand Clinic, our vestibular physiotherapists in Edmonton have the training and expertise to guide your recovery. Take the first step today by calling us at 587-635-5258 or getting in touch via our online contact form.