Placing You at the Centre of Care

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular and Balance Service

Hobbs Rehabilitation’s Vestibular and Balance Service is led by our neurological physiotherapy team who have extensive experience in managing a wide range of balance and dizziness disorders. They provide a comprehensive balance and vestibular system assessment taking into consideration the wide range of sensory and musculoskeletal factors that can influence balance.

What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialised exercise-based treatment, targeting the primary symptoms of vestibular disorders to reduce dizziness and improve balance and overall physical function. Vestibular rehabilitation aims to improve the individuals understanding of why their symptoms have persisted and reduce any secondary issues that may occur (reduced mobility, weakness, stiffness and reduced confidence). The overall goal is to help individuals return to their normal activities of daily living and improve their quality of life.

What is the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system is made up of the vestibular apparatus located in the inner ear and areas of the brain that process this information. The vestibular system is closely calibrated with our other sensory systems such as the visual and muscular systems, and is essential for maintaining balance and gaze stability.

When a part of the vestibular system is affected by a condition or injury, it can become uncalibrated with our other senses. This can cause a wide range of symptoms including:

  • dizziness
  • vertigo
  • visual disturbance
  • nausea
  • motion sensitivity
  • disequilibrium
  • imbalance

These symptoms can vary in severity but can be severe and distressing. This can lead to avoidance of activities that have been provocative of symptoms, causing a cycle of reduced participation in everyday life. This can affect all aspects of home, work and social participation, causing reduced independence, changes in mood and reduced quality of life.

What conditions can benefit from vestibular rehabilitation?

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  • Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
  • Vestibular Hypofunction
  • Vestibular Migraine
  • Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
  • Acoustic Neuroma/Vestibular Schwannoma
  • Ménière’s disease
  • Persistent Concussion Symptoms (PCS)
  • Multisensory Dizziness and Imbalance
  • Central vestibular disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis
  • A wide range of other balance and dizziness disorders

The assessment will comprise a detailed discussion to gain a thorough understanding of the onset, course and nature of the symptoms. This will be followed by an examination looking
at eye and head movements, positional testing, standing, walking and balance. Evaluation of
these systems will enable a customised treatment plan to be developed.

Our specialist neurological physiotherapy team have completed post-graduate training in vestibular rehabilitation enabling them to complete a comprehensive evaluation of the vestibular system and its functions.

How do you treat vestibular disorders?

Vestibular rehabilitation programs are bespoke and aim to target the individuals’ impairments to reduce their symptoms and achieve their specific goals. Treatment can include a range of different evidence-based approaches including:

  • Specific repositioning manoeuvres to treat BPPV
  • Customised balance and vestibular exercise program targeting the individuals’ goals
  • Multisensory balance retraining
  • Support and advice to facilitate return to activities of daily living
  • Onward referral to the interdisciplinary team if required
  • Treatment for secondary symptoms such as stiffness and de-conditioning
Patient entering details onto an enquiry form on a laptop
Enquire

Enquire today about any of our services or packages

Team member on the telephone at a computer
Screen

You will be contacted to determine your needs and assessment location

Physiotherapist and patient sat facing towards each other, participating in an assessment consultation
Assess

Your therapist will recommend the best course of treatment

Patient sat at a desk using the DIEGO with a gamified steering wheel and game on a screen
Treatment

Once you have booked you will be ready to start your treatment plan.

What to Expect

During the assessment, your therapist will discuss your clinical history and recommend the best treatment course, specific to your symptoms to optimise your recovery.

Let's Get Started

Our vestibular rehabilitation is provided at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre (Bristol), South East (Liss) and Winchester – find your nearest centre.

Alternatively, call us on 01730 890072 to talk with our team or fill out our enquiry form on our contact page.

We accept self-referrals and referrals from Medico-Legal, health and social care professionals and the charity sector.

What Our Patients Say

Don’t just take our word for it – take theirs