Vestibular Physiotherapy Ottawa

The second most commonly reported complaint within doctors’ offices is dizziness and loss of balance.

Effective Vestibular Rehab for Dizziness and Vertigo at Amped Physiotherapy

In fact, 21 million Canadians will experience some type of dizzy spell or vertigo at some point in their lives. These are both extremely common balance disorders that can affect your equilibrium, making you feel off balance, and can reflect a wide variety of medical issues. Symptoms can vary from acute to chronic and in some severe cases, they can even be indicators of serious health risks.

Some of the symptoms of vestibular dysfunctions, in addition to dizziness with head movements, include abnormal eye movements, blurry vision, double vision, tunnel vision or otherwise impaired vision, or the overwhelming feeling of spinning.

Feelings of dizziness or vertigo can greatly limit your favorite activities and impact your quality of life over a prolonged period, making it difficult for you to perform even the simplest daily tasks without feeling as if you might fall over. Different types of dizziness may be experienced. Postural stability is lost for a period of time, and all your want is relief from dizziness.

Fortunately, at Amped Physiotherapy, we offer some of the most effective vestibular rehab services care to patients in Ottawa, Chelsea, Kanata & Nepean, ON, aimed at retraining your vestibular system to regulate feelings of stability and perception of balance. Our registered health care professionals can help diagnose your condition and treat your vestibular symptoms, granting you recovery from vertigo.

One of the most aggravating factors of vertigo has to do with the position of the head in reference to the body and your sense of the body within space. Things like quick head movement or extreme head moves can multiply your current symptoms and even cause an increase in symptoms, or cause secondary symptoms to emerge. This can also apply to neck movement or to the muscles of the neck region.

Vestibular physiotherapy is an effective therapy for dizzying symptoms, as well as treating the effects of vertigo. Those with recurrent vertigo spells in their family history or personal health history may see improvements in their peripheral vision and linear motion, allowing them to return to physical activity for extended periods and enjoy recreational activities, as well as periods of rest.

What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy In Ottawa?

Vestibular Therapy for Balance Disorders at Amped Physiotherapy

At Amped Physiotherapy near Ottawa, we provide vestibular therapy for our patients suffering from balance disorders. Balance disorders refer to a broad range of conditions, but they are all connected by the effect they have on the vestibular system, also known as inner ear disorders. Vestibular therapy, also referred to as vestibular rehabilitation, is conducted through a process of “adaptation and compensation.”

This means that the vestibular system is actually being “reprogrammed” through both passive and active therapies to form connections with the brain on adjusting imbalances, improving range of motion and regaining stability. Restoring normal ear function is key. Some common components of this multidisciplinary treatment approach include habituation exercises, vestibular exercises, balance retraining exercises, adaptation exercises, stability exercises, treatment of dizziness, etc.

Some common vestibular disorder symptoms and conditions that we treat include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Vestibular neuritisHead trauma or injuries
True vertigo
Irregular eye movements
Head injuries
Loss of spatial orientation
Migraine-associated vertigo (MAV)
Post-traumatic dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues
Motor vehicle accidents
Concussion symptoms
Chronic dizziness (neck dysfunction, infection, dehydration, etc.)
Other common balance disorders
Lack of sleep
Nausea or motion sensitivity
Acoustic neuroma
Ear injuries
Other ear conditions (e.g. equilibrium deficits)
Neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, etc.)

Common Symptoms Of Vestibular Disorders

Understanding Vestibular Disorders: Dizziness, Vertigo, and Inner Ear Health

Vestibular disorders are conditions where there is a problem with your inner ear’s balance system. This includes problems such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (commonly called BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and sudden idiopathic loss of hearing. They can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age.

The main symptom of a vestibular disorder is dizziness or vertigo. Other symptoms you might experience include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, ringing in the ears, tinnitus, and blurred vision. If you experience any one of these symptoms, it’s important to see a medical professional because there are many different causes, including physical health issues like sinusitis, migraines, and high blood pressure.

If you’re experiencing ear pressure or hearing loss, you may have an injury to the common canal or cochlear portion of the ear structures. This loss of sensory input may be another contributing factor to your experience with dizziness or vertigo. In such cases, diagnostic tools are often used in a clinical setting to come to a proper diagnosis.

Why Choose Amped Physiotherapy for Your Vestibular Disorders?

Individualized Vestibular Therapy and Extensive Physiotherapy Options

Depending on the patient’s unique needs, our physiotherapy team offers a custom-tailored approach to vestibular rehabilitation therapies which may include one or a combination of the following treatments: balance retraining therapy, gaze stability exercises, head exercises, dizziness treatment, vertigo treatment, post – concussion treatment and motion sickness treatment.

We also perform some common maneuvers such as the epley maneuver, semont maneuver, canalith-repositioning maneuver, etc. Our team has extensive experience treating patients who suffer from these conditions.

We also provide a variety of other physiotherapy treatments such as neck pain treatment, shoulder pain treatment, back pain treatment, knee pain treatment, foot pain treatment, and ankle pain treatment.

Call us today to book an appointment!

FAQs

What Does Vestibular Therapy In Amped Physiotherapy Ottawa Mean?

Amped Physiotherapy can help you if you’re struggling with steadying yourself while standing or walking. Our specialized services not only deal with a broad range of vestibular issues and other common conditions affecting your balance, but we also provide you with the best possible exercise regime and follow-up treatment, so you can get back to enjoying your quality of life.

What Are Balance Disorders?

Balance disorders refer to a wide range of conditions that can result in balance or stability issues, but they are all connected by the effect they have on the vestibular system, also known as the inner ear. Inner ear problems may be caused by a physical ailment, or by fluid collecting in the ear canal.

Who Are Good Candidates For Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is used to help people recover from dizziness or vertigo caused by conditions such as concussion, stroke, migraines, and Meniere’s disease. VRT includes exercise programs designed to improve balance and coordination while reducing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Patients typically receive one hour of treatment per day over several weeks.

What Are The Benefits Of Vestibular Rehab?

At Amped Physiotherapy Clinic, we offer some of the most effective vestibular rehab services in Ottawa, aimed at retraining your vestibular system to regulate feelings of stability and balance. We provide a comprehensive assessment of your condition at your initial examination to make sure we’re addressing your unique symptoms. Among the many benefits that come from vestibular rehabilitation are improving your ability to:

• Understand your limits – it’s important to know where your limits are and to appreciate what is safe and what is unsafe. This allows you to recognize potential hazards and take appropriate action.

• Set your limits – knowing your limits helps you avoid potentially hazardous situations. You can also make adjustments to your lifestyle to accommodate your symptoms. For example, you might consider taking public transportation rather than driving whenever possible.

• Overcome habituation – by experiencing your symptoms and gaining improved control over them, you’ll eventually begin to overcome feelings of motion sickness and daily life challenges.

• Improve brain plasticity – by making changes to central connections within your brain, you can help compensate for peripheral disturbances. If you’re suffering from vertigo, for instance, you can learn techniques to reduce the intensity of your symptoms.

What Causes Vertigo?

In some cases, it is due to a structural problem such as a tumor pressing against the brainstem or cerebellum. At other times it could be caused by an infection, trauma, or even stress. Sometimes there are no clear reasons why someone experiences vertigo.

How Do I Know If My Vertigo Is Related To Something Else?

Vertigo is often associated with another health issue. For example, people with migraines often experience vertigo. If you feel like your vertigo is worse during certain activities, or you notice changes in your balance while walking, standing up, sitting down, or moving your head, then it might be worth discussing with your doctor whether it’s related to anything else.