Vertigo, often described as a sensation of spinning or dizziness, can disrupt even the simplest daily tasks—turning over in bed, bending forward, or walking in a crowded space may suddenly feel overwhelming. While vertigo itself is a symptom, it is most often linked to dysfunction within the inner ear or vestibular system. Fortunately, physiotherapy offers effective, evidence-based interventions to reduce vertigo, restore balance, and improve quality of life.
Understanding the Source of Vertigo
Common vestibular disorders that cause vertigo include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, and post-concussion syndrome. These conditions affect the body’s ability to process signals related to balance and spatial orientation. For example, in BPPV, tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged, causing the brain to receive incorrect signals about head position. This miscommunication results in dizziness, imbalance, and nausea—especially with certain movements.
Because the vestibular system is deeply connected to movement and posture, physiotherapists are uniquely positioned to help patients re-train their systems to adapt and compensate. Through targeted vestibular rehabilitation, physiotherapy can help reduce the intensity, frequency, and impact of vertigo symptoms.
Effective Physiotherapy Interventions
One of the most widely used physiotherapy interventions for BPPV is the Epley maneuver, a series of head and body movements designed to reposition displaced inner ear crystals. When performed correctly by a physiotherapist, this technique can provide immediate or rapid relief.
For other forms of vertigo, vestibular rehabilitation treatment (VRT) forms the cornerstone of treatment. VRT is a customized, exercise-based approach that includes:
- Habituation exercises to desensitize the brain to movements that provoke dizziness.
- Gaze stabilization exercises to improve visual focus during head motion.
- Balance training to restore steadiness and reduce fall risk.
These interventions are designed not just to alleviate dizziness, but to help patients regain control and confidence in everyday mobility. However, tracking progress is essential—and that’s where standardized outcome measures play a vital role.
Outcome Measures in Physiotherapy for Vertigo
To effectively assess a patient’s baseline and monitor improvement, physiotherapists use a variety of outcome measures:
- Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) evaluates the functional, emotional, and physical impact of dizziness on daily life. It’s sensitive to changes after vestibular rehabilitation and is one of the most widely used tools in clinical and research settings.
- Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for dizziness is a quick and simple tool where patients rate their dizziness severity on a scale from 0 to 10. It’s especially useful for session-to-session tracking.
- Vertigo Symptom Scale – Short Form (VSS-SF) focuses on the frequency of vertigo episodes and associated autonomic symptoms like nausea and sweating. It’s particularly helpful when anxiety is suspected to play a role in the patient’s experience.
- Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale measures a person’s confidence in maintaining balance during various daily tasks. This is especially valuable for older adults who may be at increased risk of falls.
- Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) assess how balance holds up during walking tasks that involve head turns, speed changes, or obstacle negotiation—situations that commonly trigger instability in vestibular patients.
- Timed Up and Go (TUG) with Head Turns is a straightforward test that evaluates dynamic balance and mobility, offering insight into how well someone can move safely while dealing with vestibular challenges.
- Motion Sensitivity Quotient (MSQ) helps identify specific movements that provoke dizziness, guiding the development of targeted habituation exercises.
These tools not only support clinical decision-making but also provide measurable benchmarks to demonstrate improvement, boosting patient motivation and treatment adherence.
How CARESPACE Physiotherapists Can Help
At CARESPACE Health+Wellness, our physiotherapists take a personalized, evidence-based approach to managing vertigo. Your journey starts with a comprehensive assessment, including appropriate outcome measures such as the DHI, VAS, or MSQ to determine the severity and type of vertigo you’re experiencing. Based on these findings, your physiotherapist will create a customized vestibular rehabilitation program that may include manual repositioning techniques, progressive balance retraining, and gaze stabilization exercises tailored to your needs.
Working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, CARESPACE physiotherapists often team up with osteopaths, chiropractors, or kinesiologists to support your recovery from all angles. Our goal is not just symptom relief, but long-term restoration of balance and confidence in daily movement.
If vertigo is affecting your quality of life, CARESPACE is here to help you find your footing again—naturally and effectively.
