
What is Vestibular Physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy, also known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of disorders affecting the vestibular system. The vestibular system is responsible for maintaining balance, spatial orientation, and coordination of eye and head movements.
Vestibular disorders can result from various conditions, including vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, Ménière’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine, and post-concussion syndrome, among others. These disorders often lead to symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo (a spinning sensation), imbalance, unsteadiness, visual disturbances, and nausea.
The primary goal of vestibular physiotherapy is to help individuals alleviate these symptoms and improve their functional ability and quality of life. A vestibular physiotherapist specializes in assessing the underlying causes of the vestibular disorder and designing a customized treatment plan to address the specific impairments.