Sports & Spinal have expert physiotherapists in Vestibular Rehab, Neurological Rehab and Fall Prevention treatments. Our Vestibular physios are available throughout Sports and Spinal clinics which cover a wide region from Gold Coast to the Fraser Coast.
What is Vestibular?
Vestibular conditions may present with a variety of symptoms including dizziness, vertigo, balance disturbances, nausea, vomiting, rocking or spinning sensations, blurred vision, fatigue or unsteadiness. Anxiety and depression may also feature or be a natural result of living with vestibular symptoms.
Vestibular Rehab
Using high-level technology (infrared goggles) our Physiotherapists are trained to assess subtle movements of the eye in reaction to certain clinical tests. These movements (Nystagmus) arise when there is an imbalance in the Vestibular/Inner Ear System. Your Vestibular System is responsible for keeping your eyes and gaze steady, especially during head movements. If your Vestibular System is imbalanced (one side damaged/affected) your eyes can slightly drift towards the ‘affected’ side. Your brain then ‘centrally compensates’ to correct this and in turn your eyes ‘flick’ back to the centre. This ‘flick’ back is what is most obvious during the Nystagmus observation. There are many different patterns of Nystagmus E.G. horizontal, torsional, and vertical, in all different directions, and these can be in numerous combinations. Nystagmus is the key to diagnosis as certain patterns represent specific Vestibular or Central Disorders.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the sensation that either you or the world is rotating. Episodes can last for a few minutes or be constant. Attacks may be associated with specific movements like rolling over in bed, turning to look over your shoulder, looking up or down a flight of stairs, or may take you completely by surprise. You may experience vertigo from the extreme sport of standing upright without moving at all! Vertigo can have a big impact on your function. You may not be able to do things you used to enjoy. It can be overwhelming to concentrate or complete basic tasks when your world is spinning, or you feel like you are standing on shifting sand.
What are the symptoms of Vertigo?
Other symptoms can include light-headedness, feeling faint, headaches, nausea, difficulty concentrating or blurred vision. Sometimes you can feel like you veer off to one side when you walk or struggle to keep your balance.
What are the causes of Vertigo?
There are many causes of vertigo, but problems arise when the three main balance systems in your body are not telling your brain the same information. These 3 systems are the balance organs in the inner ear (called the vestibular system), the position sensors in your joints and muscles, especially the neck and feet, and your eyes. Dysfunction can occur in one or any combination of these three systems, or in the processing of this information in the brain. These systems can also deteriorate as part of the normal ageing process which adds another challenge.
What is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is made up of 3 semi-circular canals in each ear that are filled with fluid. Tiny hairs inside these canals sense when this fluid shifts as you move your head and tell your brain whether you are upright or tipped at an angle. The most common dysfunction is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). In this disorder, microscopic crystals in the canals of the vestibular system are dislodged through trauma, illness or the normal aging process. The movement of these crystals in the vestibular system can trick the brain into thinking your head is tilted when your vision is telling you your head is straight resulting in an overwhelmed, spinning sensation. More complex dysfunction includes complete loss of function in one or both of the inner ears. Fortunately, the brain can be trained to compensate for the complete loss of function in this vestibular system by strengthening the use of vision and/or good postural awareness of the head and neck alignment. Other factors include vestibular migraines and the high association between headaches, migraines, and vertigo.
How can the Physio Team @ Sports & Spinal help me with Vertigo?
Our physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat dysfunction of the vestibular system and your balance. You don’t need a referral and our clinicians also screen for more serious causes of vertigo such as Meniere’s disease, or vestibular neuritis. We will refer you to a GP if you need to undertake further testing such as CT scans or blood tests. We also assess your posture and any neck or migraine issues you may experience.
Treatment involves Vestibular rehabilitation therapy to treat primary and secondary causes of vertigo. It is an exercise-based program combined with mobilisation of the head and body to correct deficiencies within the vestibular system and strengthen the processing of balance information in the brain.
How does Physiotherapy help?
- Improved balance
- Reduced tension of muscles, headaches and more energy.
- Symptoms of dizziness and vertigo and nausea will decrease or disappear
Many times, vestibular physiotherapy is so successful that no other treatment is required.
Contact your local clinic to book in with one of our Vestibular Physiotherapists