Vestibular rehabilitation is used to treat a range of disorders which affect the vestibular system. The vestibular system is made up of the inner ear and brain and it receives and processes information about our environment. The most commonly diagnosed vestibular disorder is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This accounts for 20% of all dizziness and can be treated with the Epley or Semont manoeuvre and Brandt-Daroff Exercises.
Other vestibular disorders are Ménière’s disease, labyrinthitis, and vestibular neuritis. Problems can also occur following dental surgery or after trauma to the ear. Post-traumatic vertigo and perilymphatic fistula are other conditions which cause vestibular problems and benefit from vestibular rehabilitation.
It is essential that individuals with vestibular disorders receive specialist physiotherapy in order to reduce symptoms, improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. This is especially important in the population of the elderly as vestibular disorders are responsible for half of all causes of dizziness in individuals over 60 years of age.
→
→
→
