Feeling dizzy or off balance can be frustrating. You may feel like the room is spinning, feel unsteady when walking, or become uncomfortable when turning your head or changing positions.
These symptoms can happen for many different reasons. One common cause is a problem with the vestibular system, which helps your brain understand your body’s position and movement.
The good news is that some types of dizziness and balance problems can be treated with physiotherapy.
Vestibular physiotherapy in New Westminster is a type of physiotherapy that focuses on dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and other conditions that affect the vestibular system.
At Retrieve Health Centre, our physiotherapy team can assess your symptoms and help develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when they are not.
For some people, it feels like the room is spinning. Others may feel as if they are being pulled to one side, moving on a boat, or losing their balance.
Vertigo is different from simply feeling lightheaded.
Common symptoms can include:
- A spinning sensation
- Feeling off balance
- Nausea
- Difficulty walking
- Feeling unsteady when standing
- Problems when turning your head
- Dizziness when getting out of bed
- Difficulty looking up or down
- Sensitivity to busy environments
The symptoms can last for a few seconds or continue for much longer, depending on the underlying cause.
What Causes Dizziness and Vertigo?
There are many possible causes of dizziness and vertigo.
One common cause is BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV happens when small crystals in the inner ear move into an area where they should not be.
This can cause brief episodes of vertigo when you change the position of your head.
For example, you may notice symptoms when:
- Rolling over in bed
- Getting out of bed
- Looking up
- Looking down
- Bending over
- Turning your head quickly
Other causes of dizziness and balance problems can include vestibular disorders, concussion, migraine-related dizziness, certain illnesses, or changes affecting the inner ear.
Because dizziness can have many causes, it is important to have your symptoms properly assessed rather than assuming that every episode of dizziness is the same.
What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialized area of physiotherapy that focuses on problems related to balance, dizziness, and the vestibular system.
A physiotherapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation can assess how your eyes, inner ear, brain, and body work together to maintain balance and understand movement.
Your assessment may look at:
- Balance
- Eye movements
- Head movements
- Walking
- Coordination
- Neck movement
- Positional changes
- Symptoms triggered by movement
The assessment helps your physiotherapist understand your symptoms and determine what type of treatment may be appropriate.
How Can Vestibular Physiotherapy Help?
Treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms.
For some people, treatment may involve specific head and body movements. For others, it may involve exercises that help the brain adapt to changes in the vestibular system.
Treatment may include:
- Balance exercises
- Eye and head movement exercises
- Habituation exercises
- Gaze stabilization exercises
- Walking and coordination exercises
- Positional techniques
- Home exercises
- Education about managing symptoms
The goal is to help you feel more stable, improve your balance, and become more comfortable with everyday movements.
BPPV Treatment in New Westminster
BPPV is one of the more common causes of positional vertigo.
People with BPPV often experience short episodes of spinning when they move their head in certain ways. For example, turning over in bed may suddenly cause the room to feel like it is spinning.
A physiotherapist can assess whether your symptoms may be consistent with BPPV and, when appropriate, use specific repositioning techniques to help move the crystals back to the correct part of the inner ear.
These techniques are different from general exercises and should be performed based on an appropriate assessment.
If you are searching for BPPV treatment in New Westminster, getting the right assessment is an important first step.
Can Physiotherapy Help With Dizziness?
Physiotherapy may help with certain types of dizziness, particularly when the symptoms are related to the vestibular system or problems with balance and movement.
For example, vestibular rehabilitation may be used for people who experience:
- Vertigo
- Balance difficulties
- Dizziness with head movement
- Vestibular disorders
- Some concussion-related symptoms
- Difficulty walking or moving confidently
- Problems adapting to movement
However, dizziness is not always caused by a vestibular problem.
That is why an assessment is important. Your physiotherapist can discuss your symptoms and determine whether vestibular physiotherapy may be appropriate or whether you should be referred to another healthcare professional.
What Happens During a Vestibular Physiotherapy Assessment?
Your first appointment will usually start with a conversation about your symptoms.
Your physiotherapist may ask:
- When did your dizziness start?
- What does the dizziness feel like?
- How long does each episode last?
- What movements trigger your symptoms?
- Do you feel dizzy when turning in bed?
- Have you experienced a concussion?
- Do you have headaches or nausea?
- Have you noticed changes in your balance?
- How are your symptoms affecting work, exercise, or daily activities?
Your physiotherapist may then perform different tests depending on your symptoms.
These may include balance tests, eye movement tests, walking assessments, and positional testing.
You may not need every test. Your assessment will depend on your symptoms and medical history.
After the assessment, your physiotherapist can explain what they found and discuss the next steps.
Vestibular Physiotherapy After a Concussion
Dizziness and balance problems can sometimes occur after a concussion.
Some people may experience:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to movement
- Difficulty focusing
- Nausea
- Problems with busy environments
If these symptoms continue after a concussion, vestibular rehabilitation may be part of the recovery process.
Treatment is usually individualized. The exercises and activities you are given will depend on your symptoms and how you respond to movement.
If you have experienced a concussion, it is important to follow appropriate medical advice and seek assessment for ongoing or concerning symptoms.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist for Dizziness?
You may want to speak with a physiotherapist if dizziness or balance problems are affecting your everyday life.
For example, you may notice that you:
- Avoid certain movements because they make you dizzy
- Feel unsteady when walking
- Have trouble getting out of bed
- Feel dizzy when turning your head
- Avoid exercise because of your symptoms
- Feel nervous about falling
- Have repeated episodes of vertigo
- Have difficulty returning to normal activities
You do not have to simply live with recurring dizziness.
An assessment can help you better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether vestibular physiotherapy is appropriate.
When Should Dizziness Be Checked by a Doctor?
While physiotherapy can help with many vestibular and balance problems, dizziness can sometimes be related to a medical condition that requires medical assessment.
Seek urgent medical attention if dizziness occurs with serious or unusual symptoms such as:
- Sudden weakness or numbness
- Trouble speaking
- Severe or unusual headache
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Sudden vision changes
- Significant difficulty walking
- Other sudden neurological symptoms
If you are unsure about your symptoms, speak with a doctor or other appropriate healthcare professional.
Vestibular Physiotherapy in New Westminster
If dizziness or vertigo is affecting your daily life, getting the right support can help you move forward with more confidence.
At Retrieve Health Centre in New Westminster, our multidisciplinary team provides physiotherapy and other rehabilitation and wellness services.
Our physiotherapy services can support people dealing with balance problems, dizziness, vertigo, and other movement-related concerns.
If you are looking for vestibular physiotherapy in New Westminster, contact Retrieve Health Centre to discuss your symptoms and book an assessment.
Our team can help determine whether vestibular physiotherapy may be appropriate for your condition and create a treatment plan based on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vestibular physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy is a type of physiotherapy that focuses on dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and conditions affecting the vestibular system. Treatment may include balance exercises, eye and head movement exercises, positional techniques, and other rehabilitation exercises.
Can physiotherapy help with vertigo?
Physiotherapy can help with certain types of vertigo, including some cases of BPPV and other vestibular conditions. The right treatment depends on the cause of your symptoms.
What is BPPV?
BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It is a common cause of brief episodes of vertigo that happen when certain head positions cause movement of small crystals within the inner ear.
How do I know if I need vestibular physiotherapy?
If you regularly experience dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or symptoms triggered by head movement, a vestibular assessment may be helpful. A physiotherapist can assess your symptoms and determine whether vestibular rehabilitation may be appropriate.
Can vestibular physiotherapy help after a concussion?
Vestibular physiotherapy may be part of rehabilitation for some people experiencing dizziness, balance problems, or movement-related symptoms after a concussion. Treatment should be based on an individual assessment.
Where can I get vestibular physiotherapy in New Westminster?
Retrieve Health Centre provides physiotherapy and rehabilitation services in New Westminster. Contact the clinic to discuss your symptoms and find out whether vestibular physiotherapy may be suitable for you.
