What to Expect in Your Vestibular Physiotherapy Appointment

If you’re dealing with vertigo, dizziness, or unsteadiness, a Vestibular Physiotherapist will be able to help you regain balance and confidence. Whether this is your first visit to physiotherapy, or you've seen a physiotherapist before, your appointment with us will follow a clear structure, with a few key differences specific to vestibular care.

Initial Vestibular Physiotherapy Appointment

Your first appointment will include a thorough assessment that blends clinical expertise with individualized care. We’ll start with a subjective examination, followed by a physical examination, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.

Subjective Examination

Understanding Your Symptoms
We’ll begin by listening to your story. Expect to discuss your current symptoms, health history, lifestyle, and goals. We want to understand what’s affecting you—whether it’s occasional dizziness, persistent vertigo, or general unsteadiness—so we can tailor your treatment to your
unique needs. This part of the assessment is crucial for guiding our next steps.

Physical Examination

A Closer Look at Your Balance
This part of the assessment may look different from what you’ve experienced in other physiotherapy appointments. Our physiotherapists at Hillside will break the physical exam down into four key areas:

1. Neck Assessment: Tension or issues in the neck can sometimes contribute to dizziness or balance problems, so we’ll check how it moves and feels.
2. Positional Testing: You’ll be asked to quickly change positions (sitting, lying down) while we monitor your eyes for specific movements and symptoms. These movements,
known as nystagmus, help us pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms.
3. Vestibular Function Testing: This part of the exam evaluates how your inner ear and eyes are working together. You may be asked to move your head in specific ways or focus on an eye chart while we watch for nystagmus.
4. Balance & Gait Assessment: We’ll test your ability to maintain balance and walk, which may involve exercises like standing on one leg or walking while turning your head. This helps us understand how your symptoms impact your ability to move throughout your daily life.

Diagnosis and Treatment Plan

Working Together
After we’ve completed your assessment, we’ll review the findings with you. Together, we’ll discuss a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan focused on your specific needs and goals. Your Victoria Physiotherapist will come up with at plan that will include education, targeted treatment, and home exercises to help you feel better and regain your stability.

Initial Vestibular Treatment

Your Path to Better Health
Once we’ve completed your assessment, your physiotherapist at Pursuit Physiotherapy will begin your treatment right away. This will likely include some initial treatment to address your symptoms and get you on the path to better balance. Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment approach may vary:

• If you are diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a common condition caused by "ear crystals" in the inner ear, we may perform particle repositioning maneuvers like the Epley maneuver to move these crystals into a more stable position. These maneuvers are effective in relieving the vertigo associated with BPPV and can often provide immediate relief.

• If you have a condition such as unilateral or bilateral hypofunction, vestibular neuritis, or another vestibular disorder, we’ll develop a personalized exercise program to help retrain your balance system and manage your symptoms. You’ll also be educated on self-management techniques that are specific to your diagnosis and tailored to your clinical findings, empowering you to manage and reduce your symptoms long-term.

In addition to the hands-on treatments, we’ll also provide education on how to manage your symptoms at home, along with practical strategies for improving your balance and reducing dizziness in daily life. We believe in giving you the tools you need to feel confident and in
control of your recovery.

Next Steps: In Pursuit of Better Balance

Vestibular physiotherapy is not just about fixing symptoms; it’s about empowering you with the tools and knowledge to regain your balance and confidence. As you progress, we’ll continue to work closely with you, adjusting your plan as needed to help you reach your goals.

Together, we’re in pursuit of balance, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.

Note on the Assessment Process

Disclaimer: We want to be upfront with you—a vestibular assessment is not always comfortable. Yes, your Victoria Physiotherapist may need to move you around and push your limits a bit to identify exactly what’s causing your dizziness. This is an important part of the process, and it’s the first step toward feeling better.

Our physiotherapists at Pursuit Physiotherapy will always communicate clearly with you. We will never force you to do any test or exercise that you’re not comfortable with. We fully recognize that vertigo and dizziness are unpleasant, and we do everything we can to minimize any discomfort or anxiety that the assessment may cause.

If you have any concerns or questions about what to expect during your assessment—or if you’re wondering if vestibular physiotherapy is right for you—please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to answer any questions and help put your mind at ease.