Have you ever stood up too quickly and felt the room spin? Or get a sudden wave of dizziness that made everyday tasks like driving or even scrolling your phone feel impossible?
You’re not alone. Dizziness and vertigo (that “spinning” sensation) are surprisingly common, especially among busy adults juggling work, stress, and active lifestyles.
The good news? There’s a proven solution that doesn’t rely on medications or quick fixes: vestibular therapy.
Let’s break it down.
Vestibular Therapy 101
Your inner ear isn’t just for hearing—it’s also home to your vestibular system, a tiny but mighty network that acts like your body’s GPS. It sends signals to your brain about where you are in space, helping you stay balanced and coordinated. When this system gets disrupted (due to injury, infection, or even stress), it can cause dizziness, vertigo, or a feeling of being “off-balance.”
That’s where vestibular therapy comes in. Think of it as physical therapy for your balance system. A trained physiotherapist works with you to retrain your brain and body to interpret signals correctly, reduce symptoms, and get you back to feeling steady.
Common Issues Vestibular Therapy Can Help With
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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV):
BPPV can develop when the calcium crystals in your inner ear get knocked out of place and move to another area they shouldn't be in. Vestibular therapy uses specific head movements (like the Epley maneuver) to guide those crystals back where they belong, often relieving vertigo in just a few sessions. -
Labyrinthitis or Vestibular Neuritis:
These are fancy terms for inner ear inflammation, usually caused by a viral infection. Vestibular therapy helps rebuild balance and reduce dizziness through gentle exercises tailored to your needs. -
Motion Sensitivity:
Do car rides or crowded spaces suddenly feel overwhelming? Therapy can desensitize your system to these triggers over time.
What to Expect in a Session
- Evaluation: Your physiotherapist will try to assess the root cause of your dizziness using simple tests (like tracking eye movements or assessing balance).
- Customized Exercises: These might include gaze stabilization (practicing focus while moving your head) or balance training (standing on uneven surfaces).
- Progress Tracking: Symptoms often improve within a few weeks of therapy, with many patients seeing long-term results.
Why It Works
Unlike medications that mask symptoms, vestibular therapy treats the source of the problem. A recent study found that patients with chronic dizziness showed improvement after completing 4 weeks of a vestibular rehab program. The key? It’s all about neuroplasticity—your brain’s ability to adapt and “relearn” balance.
If you’ve tried remeding your symptoms with things like antihistamines or rest without success, vestibular therapy offers a science-backed alternative.
Ready to Feel Steady Again?
Whether it’s vertigo after a workout or unexplained imbalance, vestibular therapy could be what you need to get back to feeling your best. Why?
Because it’s not “just exercise,” it’s a structured, evidence-based approach that’s helped everyone from office workers to athletes regain control of their lives.
At Renew Wellness, our physiotherapists work with you to create a plan that fits your lifestyle. No guesswork, just results!
Take the first step toward steadier days. Click here to schedule a free screening with a Renew Physiotherapist.
