Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular Rehabilitation in Calgary

Dizziness, unsteadiness, and a feeling that the room is spinning can make everyday activities difficult. Turning your head, getting out of bed, walking through a busy store, or looking up at a shelf may leave you feeling off balance. At Spirit of Physiotherapy and Massage, we provide vestibular rehabilitation in Calgary to help people address balance difficulties and symptoms associated with vestibular system disorders.

Our physiotherapy services focus on assessing your symptoms, identifying movement challenges, and developing an exercise plan suited to your needs. Whether dizziness started after a change in head position, an illness, or an injury, we work with you to understand how your symptoms affect daily life and determine appropriate next steps.

What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation in Calgary is a physiotherapy approach that uses specific exercises to address dizziness, balance problems, gaze instability, and difficulties with movement caused by vestibular system dysfunction.

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear and connected to the brain, helps control balance, posture, and eye movements. It allows you to keep your vision steady while moving your head and helps your body recognize its position in space.

When this system is not functioning properly, you may experience vertigo, unsteadiness, motion sensitivity, or difficulty walking while turning your head. Vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted exercises to help the brain adapt to changes in vestibular input and improve coordination between the eyes, head, and body.

Depending on the assessment findings, treatment may include gaze stabilization exercises, balance training, habituation exercises, or specific positional manoeuvres for certain forms of vertigo. The appropriate approach depends on the cause of your symptoms and your ability to tolerate movement.

Who Can Benefit From Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation in Calgary may be appropriate for people whose dizziness, balance difficulties, or motion sensitivity interfere with their daily routines.

You may benefit from an assessment if you:

• Feel dizzy when getting out of bed, rolling over, or looking up.
• Experience a spinning sensation when changing head position.
• Feel unsteady while walking, particularly on uneven surfaces.
• Have difficulty focusing your vision while moving your head.
• Feel nauseated or uncomfortable in busy environments.
• Have reduced confidence when climbing stairs or moving around unfamiliar places.
• Notice balance difficulties following a concussion or head injury.
• Have been diagnosed with a vestibular condition and need help managing movement-related symptoms.

Older adults who feel unsteady while walking may also benefit from an assessment to identify balance limitations and discuss ways to reduce fall risk.

Dizziness can have several causes, so an assessment is important before starting exercises. Symptoms such as fainting, chest pain, a sudden severe headache, new weakness, difficulty speaking, or sudden vision changes require urgent medical assessment rather than routine physiotherapy.

Problems Vestibular Rehabilitation Can Address

Vestibular rehabilitation in Calgary may help address movement and balance difficulties associated with certain inner-ear and neurological conditions.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles move into the wrong part of the inner ear. This can cause brief episodes of spinning when you roll over in bed, bend down, or turn your head.

When an assessment confirms BPPV, a physiotherapist may use an appropriate canalith repositioning manoeuvre to move the particles out of the affected canal.

Vestibular Hypofunction

Vestibular hypofunction occurs when one or both sides of the vestibular system provide reduced input. You may feel unsteady, experience blurred vision during head movement, or find walking more difficult when turning your head.

Treatment may include gaze stabilization exercises, balance activities, and graded head movements based on your symptoms and assessment findings.

Persistent Dizziness and Motion Sensitivity

Some people continue to feel dizzy or uncomfortable when moving through busy environments, riding in a vehicle, or making repeated head movements. Vestibular exercises may help the nervous system adapt to certain movement-related triggers over time.

Persistent dizziness can have multiple causes, including vestibular migraine and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. Assessment helps determine whether vestibular physiotherapy is appropriate and whether medical care is also needed.

Balance Difficulties Following Concussion

A concussion can affect balance, eye movements, concentration, and tolerance for physical activity. Identifying vestibular problems may lead to rehabilitation that includes balance exercises, gaze stabilization, and gradual movement activities, all coordinated with the person’s broader recovery plan.

Unsteadiness During Everyday Activities

Difficulty walking, turning, changing direction, or moving the head while standing can affect daily independence. Balance training and movement practice may help address these limitations, depending on the underlying cause.

What Does Vestibular Rehabilitation in Calgary Include?

At Spirit of Physiotherapy and Massage, our approach depends on your symptoms, assessment findings, medical history, and activity goals.

1. Vestibular and Balance Assessment

We review your symptoms, when they began, what triggers them, and how they affect your routine. Your assessment may include balance testing, walking observation, eye movement checks, and positional testing when indicated and safe.

This helps us identify possible movement-related impairments and determine whether further medical investigation is necessary.

2. Gaze Stabilization Exercises

These exercises train you to maintain a steady visual target while moving your head. They may be used when vestibular dysfunction affects the coordination between head movement and eye movement.

The speed, duration, and difficulty of each exercise depend on your tolerance and assessment results.

3. Balance and Walking Training

Balance exercises may involve standing with different foot positions, shifting your weight, changing direction, or practicing walking while moving your head.

Activities are selected according to your current ability and progressed as appropriate. Safety is a priority, particularly if you have a history of falls or significant unsteadiness.

4. Habituation Exercises

Some movements or visual environments repeatedly trigger dizziness. Habituation exercises involve carefully graded exposure to selected movements to help reduce symptom sensitivity over time.

These exercises should be chosen and adjusted according to the underlying condition. They are not suitable for every cause of dizziness.

5. Canalith Repositioning for BPPV

When testing identifies a form of BPPV, a physiotherapist may use a repositioning manoeuvre suited to the affected inner-ear canal. Different forms of BPPV may require different manoeuvres, so the correct assessment is important.

6. Home Exercise Program

Your physiotherapist may recommend exercises to practice between appointments. We explain how to perform them, how frequently to practice, and which symptoms should prompt you to stop and seek advice.

Your program may change as your balance, movement tolerance, or symptoms change.

How Does the Vestibular Rehabilitation Process Work?

Step 1: Initial Consultation

We discuss your symptoms, medical history, recent injuries, current activity levels, and the situations in which dizziness occurs.

Step 2: Physical Assessment

Your physiotherapist assesses relevant eye movements, balance, walking, head movement, and positional responses where appropriate. The tests depend on your presentation and safety considerations.

Step 3: Treatment Planning

Based on the findings, we discuss suitable treatment options, exercise priorities, and whether you should consult another healthcare professional before proceeding.

Step 4: Guided Rehabilitation

You practice exercises or manoeuvres appropriate to your condition. Your physiotherapist monitors your response and adjusts the activities according to your tolerance.

Step 5: Progress Review

We review changes in dizziness, balance, walking, and daily function. Exercise difficulty and activity demands may be adjusted according to your progress.

Step 6: Ongoing Self-Management

As appropriate, you receive instructions for continuing exercises at home, managing movement-related challenges, and recognizing symptoms that require further assessment.

Benefits of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Calgary

The results of vestibular rehabilitation depend on the underlying condition, symptom duration, general health, and participation in the program. For appropriate vestibular disorders, treatment may help with:

• Improved balance: Practice maintaining stability while standing, walking, and changing direction.
• Steadier vision during movement: Address difficulties keeping your eyes focused while turning your head.
• Reduced movement-related dizziness: Certain exercises may help the brain adapt to repeated movement triggers.
• Improved walking confidence: Work on balance and head movement during walking activities.
• Greater participation in daily routines: Address challenges with getting out of bed, shopping, household activities, and other everyday tasks.
• Fall-risk management: Identify balance limitations and practice activities intended to improve stability.

Results vary, and not every type of dizziness responds to vestibular exercises. The aim is to address the impairments identified during your assessment and help you work toward practical activity goals.

Conditions and Patients We See

Vestibular rehabilitation may be relevant to people with:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Unilateral or bilateral vestibular hypofunction
• Vestibular symptoms following concussion
• Certain balance impairments associated with neurological conditions
• Motion sensitivity associated with vestibular dysfunction
• Persistent dizziness requiring assessment and coordinated care
• Age-related balance difficulties

Some conditions require medical assessment or care from more than one healthcare professional. Vestibular physiotherapy can form part of a broader care plan when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is vestibular rehabilitation in Calgary used for?

Vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted exercises and, when indicated, positional manoeuvres to address dizziness, balance difficulties, gaze instability, and movement sensitivity associated with certain vestibular disorders.

Can physiotherapy help with vertigo?

Yes, physiotherapy can help with certain forms of vertigo. For example, BPPV may respond to a canalith repositioning manoeuvre after the affected canal has been identified. Other vestibular conditions may require gaze stabilization, balance training, or a different treatment approach.

How many vestibular rehabilitation sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on your symptoms’ cause, duration, assessment findings, and treatment response. Some cases of BPPV may improve after one or a few repositioning treatments, while other vestibular conditions may require a longer exercise program.

Can vestibular exercises make dizziness worse?

Some exercises can temporarily increase dizziness or motion sensitivity, particularly when you first begin. Activities should be selected and adjusted according to your condition and tolerance. Discuss any severe, unusual, or persistent symptom changes with your healthcare provider.

Is vestibular rehabilitation suitable after a concussion?

It may be suitable when an assessment identifies vestibular or balance impairments following a concussion. Treatment may form part of a broader recovery plan and should account for other symptoms, including headaches, visual difficulties, and exercise intolerance.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Referral requirements may depend on your insurance plan and individual circumstances. Contact our clinic to confirm our current booking requirements and whether your insurer requires a referral.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Bring relevant medical information, a list of current medicines, details of previous injuries or diagnoses, and any available referral or insurance documents. It may also help to note which movements trigger your symptoms and how long they usually last.

Is vestibular rehabilitation covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by insurance provider and policy. Contact your insurer to ask about physiotherapy benefits, annual limits, referral requirements, and any applicable fees.

Service Areas

Located in southwest Calgary, we serve patients from nearby communities seeking physiotherapy and related services, including:

• Bridlewood
• Somerset
• Shawnessy
• Evergreen
• Millrise
• Silverado
• Midnapore
• Chaparral

Our clinic address is 2525 Bridlecrest Way SW #80, Calgary, AB T2Y 5J4, Canada

Whether you live in southwest Calgary or travel from another part of the city, contact us to discuss appointment availability and whether vestibular rehabilitation may be suitable for your symptoms.

Why Choose Spirit of Physiotherapy and Massage?

Dizziness and balance problems can affect work, household tasks, exercise, and social activities. We recognize that symptoms can differ significantly from one person to another, which is why an assessment is an important starting point.

At Spirit of Physiotherapy and Massage, we focus on identifying movement limitations, explaining the available treatment options, and helping you understand the purpose of each exercise. Our physiotherapy approach takes your symptoms, daily activities, and treatment response into account.

We also recognize when symptoms may require medical assessment or coordinated care outside physiotherapy. We aim to help you make informed decisions about your care and work towards practical goals that matter in your daily life.

Related Services

Depending on your assessment findings, other physiotherapy services may be relevant to your needs:

• Physiotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
• Massage Therapy
• Biomedical Dry Needling
• Modalities
• MVA

Please contact our clinic to confirm which services are currently available and whether they are suitable for your circumstances.

Get Started

If dizziness, vertigo, or balance difficulties are affecting your everyday activities, contact Spirit of Physiotherapy and Massage to discuss an assessment.

Our team can explain the booking process, answer questions about vestibular physiotherapy, and help you determine the next step based on your concerns.

Call us at +1 403-454-4451.

Visit us at 2525 Bridlecrest Way SW #80, Calgary, AB T2Y 5J4, Canada

Take the first step toward addressing your dizziness and balance concerns with a physiotherapy assessment.