Vestibular, Balance and Dizziness Problems

How dizziness and balance issues can affect your life

Your ability to balance depends on many different factors, including how well your brain, nerves, eyes, muscles and joints are working, as well as your vestibular system.

The vestibular system tells us where our body is in relation to gravity, where it is moving to and how fast. The nerves that control our vestibular system are located in the inner ear and tell our brain what direction we are moving in.

There are many reasons why people suffer from a balance/vestibular disorder.  It may occur following a virus, an infection or a heavy knock to the head.  In some cases, dizziness can arise when crystals, which form part of the sensory receptors in each ear, are displaced – a condition known as Benign Paroxismal Positional Vertigo or ‘BPPV’. However, it can also occur without any clear cause.

Supporting you to manage your dizziness and balance problems

Many people wrongly believe that the way to get better is to avoid things that make them dizzy or otherwise provoke their symptoms. In neurological physiotherapy we do not avoid these things, instead we retrain your brain to cope effectively with the actions or environments which provoke your symptoms, so you can become symptom-free and regain your confidence.

What to expect from heads up

• First assessment

The first thing we do is help you to understand the nature of your symptoms and why they may have come about.  Often understanding your condition helps to reduce anxiety and allow you to regain some control over the condition.  This also helps you to avoid social isolation and depression.

We will take time to explain what we are doing and to answer any questions you may have about your situation.

We will assess your balance systems and help you to work out how to cope with your condition in day-to-day situations. We will take you through a series of exercises, starting slowly at first and building up over time, to expose you gradually to more complicated environments.

We will discuss what your treatment plan (if required) may look like and offer treatment sessions that will suit your needs.

• Treatment plan

Assessment is ongoing throughout the treatment process as your ability changes and progress is made.

Specialist neurological physiotherapy treatment can often dramatically relieve symptoms and improve confidence for those with balance problems. Our treatment can aid rehabilitation through training improved mobility and balance. We work with you to improve body awareness, minimise vestibular symptoms, and also to treat secondary problems, such as visual fixation, and neck and thoracic stiffness.

Balance is something many people take for granted.  Usually, walking over uneven ground, negotiating crowds or supermarket aisles, and getting on and off escalators don’t make us feel anxious or in any way concerned about our balance.  However, when our balance is affected, simple activities can become extremely fatiguing and sometimes provoke anxiety.

During treatment, your physiotherapist will give you advice to help you resume your normal daily activities, which may have hitherto been avoided due to anxiety about dizziness.

After discussion, we may liaise with your GP or consultant about your medication and medical management. We may signpost you to organisations that can support you and/or refer you to other health professionals.

There will be regular opportunity to discuss your progress and your changing needs.