Common Vestibular Conditions Treated by Physiotherapy in Brampton
If you’ve ever felt like the room was spinning when you rolled over in bed, felt unsteady walking through a grocery store, or experienced dizziness that no one could quite explain, you’re not alone. Being physiotherapists who deal closely with vestibular disorders on a daily basis, we experience how disruptive such symptoms may become, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.
Most patients visit us having had weeks, months, or even years of living with dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues, and they, more often than not, think that they just have to live with it. The majority of vestibular conditions respond well to targeted physiotherapy when detected in a timely manner.
Vestibular physiotherapy in Brampton helps individuals regain a sense of stability and confidence in their movements.
Understanding the Vestibular System
In your inner ear is your vestibular system, which is in constant communication with your eyes, brain, muscles and joints. It is responsible for telling your body your location in space and maintaining your vision when your head moves.
The disturbance of this system, by displaced crystals, infection, concussion, or age-related alterations, will result in your feeling dizzy and nauseous, and off-balance, or as though the environment is shifting, when it is not.
Vestibular physiotherapy is used to retrain the brain and the body to process these signals in a proper fashion once more.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Without a doubt, BPPV is the most frequent cause of vertigo that is presented in the clinic.
It occurs when the small crystals of calcium in the inner ear are moved to the improper canal. Whenever you tilt your head, lie down, or roll over, a sudden sense of spinning can be experienced, which takes a few seconds but seems to be too much.
What patients tell us:
“I feel like the room spins when I lie down.”
“I get dizzy looking up or bending over.”
“It hits out of nowhere.”
How we treat it:
Using precise repositioning techniques like the Epley maneuver, we guide those crystals back where they belong. Many patients feel dramatic relief within one or two visits.
Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
The causes of these conditions usually involve viral infection and inflammation of the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve.
The dizziness may be severe and may last for days. But what takes patients to physiotherapy is what they are left with afterwards: sensitivity in motion, loss of balance and inability to walk with confidence.
How we treat it:
Gradual movement-based exercises are used to make the brain re-tune and learn to tolerate the new signals of the inner ear. It is known as vestibular compensation, and it is amazingly effective when directed properly.
Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
Among the most misconceived types of vestibular conditions is PPPD. Patients tend to say they are rocking or swaying all the time, particularly when they are in areas with a lot of visual stimuli, such as shopping malls or grocery stores.
The disorder usually occurs in the case of a vestibular episode, concussion, or long-lasting stress.
What patients say:
“I feel off-balance all the time, but not spinning.”
“Crowded places make it worse.”
“I feel better lying down.”
How we treat it:
Common treatments aim to desensitize the nervous system by using visual and balance exercises that gradually reduce symptom-provoking factors.
Concussion-Related Vestibular Dysfunction
Communication between the brain, the eyes and the inner ear may be broken after a concussion. This typically causes dizziness, headaches, eye strain, and motion sensitivity that persist beyond the original trauma.
How we treat it:
We design customized programs that retrain eye tracking, head movement tolerance, and balance, allowing patients to safely return to work, school, and sport.
Age-Related Balance Changes
As we age, the vestibular system naturally becomes less responsive. Many older adults feel unsteady without knowing why, increasing their risk of falls.
How we treat it:
Targeted balance training, gait work, and vestibular exercises significantly improve stability and confidence.
What Vestibular Physiotherapy Looks Like
Vestibular therapy differs substantially from general physiotherapy. Your assessment may include:
Eye movement testing
Positional testing for vertigo
Balance and walking analysis
Identifying motion triggers
Treatment may involve:
Repositioning maneuvers
Balance retraining
Visual tracking exercises
Habituation exercises
Guided home programs
A key part of recovery is consistency. The brain learns through repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I see results?
Some conditions, like BPPV, improve almost immediately. Others may take several weeks of guided exercises.
Will the exercises make me dizzy?
Yes, sometimes mildly, and that’s part of the process. We use controlled exposure to reduce sensitivity.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can book directly with a physiotherapist.
Is this safe for seniors?
Absolutely. Vestibular physiotherapy is one of the best ways to reduce fall risk.
Can this help if I’ve had dizziness for years?
Yes. Chronic dizziness often improves significantly with the right approach.
Finding the Right Support in Brampton
Dizziness and balance problems can quietly shrink your world. We have had patients cease driving, decline to go out, and reduce their daily activities because they no longer feel stable.
You don’t have to live that way.
At Sahara Health, our clinicians are also trained in the field of vestibular physiotherapy, and they actually invest time to find out what exactly is triggering your symptoms. Our individualized approach, practical therapy and rehabilitation assist these patients to gain back their balance, confidence and quality of life.
When you experience vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance in your daily routine, vestibular physiotherapy may help you feel like yourself again.