Vestibular Intervention
Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialized branch of physiotherapy focused on diagnosing and treating disorders of the vestibular system, a sensory system in the inner ear responsible for balance, spatial orientation, and coordinating eye movements. It addresses symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and gaze instability caused by conditions like:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis
Ménière’s disease
Post-concussion syndrome
Central vestibular disorders (e.g., stroke, migraines)
Key Interventions
Repositioning Maneuvers
e.g., Epley maneuver for BPPV.
Balance Retraining
Exercises to improve stability and prevent falls.
Gaze Stabilization
e.g., VOR adaptation to maintain visual focus during head movement.
Habituation Exercises
Reduce dizziness triggers through repeated exposure.
Education
Symptom management and fall prevention strategies.
Goals
Alleviate vertigo and dizziness.
Enhance balance and coordination.
Promote neural adaptation/compensation for vestibular dysfunction.
Restore functional independence and quality of life.
This evidence-based approach often involves collaboration with neurologists, ENT specialists, and audiologists to optimize outcomes.