Vestibular Physiotherapy

Vestibular disorders can be unsettling — dizziness, imbalance and visual disturbances can affect every part of daily life. Our vestibular physiotherapy service provides evidence‑based assessment and treatment to help you regain confidence, stability and control.

What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy?

Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy focused on assessing and treating conditions that affect the inner ear and balance system. It uses targeted exercises, manual techniques and sensory retraining to reduce dizziness, improve balance and restore normal movement patterns.

This type of therapy is suitable for people experiencing vertigo, unsteadiness, motion sensitivity, or difficulty with visual focus during movement.

Common Symptoms We Treat

People often seek vestibular physiotherapy for symptoms such as:

  • Vertigo or spinning sensations

  • Light‑headedness or floating sensations

  • Imbalance or unsteadiness when walking

  • Motion sensitivity (e.g., dizziness when turning the head or rolling in bed)

  • Blurred or unstable vision, especially with movement (oscillopsia)

  • Nausea associated with head movements

  • Difficulty concentrating or feeling “foggy” after dizziness episodes

  • Increased anxiety related to movement or balance

Common Causes of Vestibular Symptoms

Vestibular symptoms can arise from a range of conditions, including:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

  • Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis

  • Ménière’s disease

  • Age‑related changes in the balance system

  • Post‑concussion or head injury

  • Chronic dizziness or persistent postural‑perceptual dizziness (PPPD)

  • Cervicogenic dizziness

  • Migraine‑related vertigo or vestibular migraine

Our assessment helps determine whether your symptoms are vestibular in origin, cervical in origin, or a combination of both.

What Vestibular Physiotherapy Involves

Your session includes a comprehensive, structured assessment followed by an individualised treatment plan. This may include:

  • Detailed vestibular and balance assessment
    Including eye movement testing, positional testing, gait analysis and balance evaluation.

  • BPPV repositioning manoeuvres
    Such as Epley manoeuvres depending on the canal involved.

  • Gaze stabilisation exercises
    To improve visual focus during head movement.

  • Balance and postural retraining
    Targeting sensory integration, proprioception and functional stability.

  • Habituation exercises
    To reduce motion sensitivity and dizziness triggered by specific movements.

  • Neck assessment and treatment
    When cervical factors contribute to dizziness or imbalance.

  • Education and self‑management strategies
    Helping you understand your condition and confidently manage symptoms.

Safety and Medical Screening

Your safety is our priority. During your assessment, we screen for signs that may indicate a non‑vestibular or medically urgent cause of dizziness.
If any concerning or “sinister” findings are identified, we will recommend appropriate medical investigation or specialist review before continuing with physiotherapy treatment.