Vertigo & Vestibular Dysfunction Physiotherapy in Redlands.
Vertigo and dizziness are more than just unpleasant — they can make daily activities dangerous and significantly impact confidence and independence. The good news is that most vestibular conditions respond remarkably well to physiotherapy, often with results seen within just a few sessions.
At Moov Physio, our physiotherapists are trained in vestibular rehabilitation and the assessment and treatment of BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) — the most common cause of vertigo.
What is Vestibular Dysfunction?
The vestibular system is the sensory system in your inner ear responsible for balance and spatial orientation. When it's not working correctly, the brain receives conflicting signals — causing dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems.
Common vestibular symptoms:
Spinning sensation (vertigo) — either you spin or the room spins
Dizziness when changing head position (rolling over in bed, looking up)
Unsteadiness and difficulty walking
Nausea associated with movement
Visual disturbance or difficulty focusing
Sensitivity to busy visual environments (supermarkets, traffic)
Vestibular Conditions We Treat
| Condition | Description | Physio Approach |
|---|---|---|
| BPPV | Calcium crystals displaced in the inner ear; sudden positional vertigo | Epley or Semont repositioning manoeuvre — often resolves in 1–2 sessions |
| Vestibular Neuritis / Labyrinthitis | Viral inflammation of the vestibular nerve; prolonged dizziness | Vestibular rehabilitation exercises |
| Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) | Chronic dizziness driven by sensitised central processing | Graded exposure, habituation exercises, education |
| Cervicogenic Dizziness | Dizziness arising from the neck joints | Cervical manual therapy |
| Post-Concussion Vestibular Dysfunction | Dizziness and balance problems after head injury | Vestibular and cervical rehabilitation |
| Age-Related Balance Decline | Multisensory balance deterioration in older adults | Balance training, falls prevention |
BPPV: The Most Common Cause of Vertigo
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) occurs when calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) become dislodged from one part of the inner ear and migrate into the semicircular canals, causing intense, brief spinning episodes triggered by head movement.
Classic triggers:
Rolling over in bed
Looking up or bending down
Tipping the head back (e.g. at the hairdresser or dentist)
Treatment: The Epley manoeuvre — a specific sequence of head and body positions that guides the crystals back into place. Success rate is approximately 80–95% with one to three treatments.
If you wake up dizzy when you roll over in bed, there is a very good chance you have BPPV — and physiotherapy can likely resolve it quickly.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises
For ongoing vestibular dysfunction (beyond BPPV), vestibular rehabilitation involves graded exercises designed to:
Retrain gaze stability — keeping vision clear during head movement
Habituate the dizziness response — gradually reducing the brain's sensitivity to vestibular signals
Improve balance and walking confidence — using progressive balance challenges
Reduce fall risk — especially in older adults with vestibular decline
Frequently Asked Questions.
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Most BPPV cases resolve within 1–3 physiotherapy sessions using repositioning manoeuvres. Some cases require more sessions or a home exercise program.
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For most cases of positional vertigo (BPPV), a physiotherapist with vestibular training can assess and treat you directly. If your dizziness is constant (not just positional), associated with hearing loss or tinnitus, or accompanied by neurological symptoms, a GP or specialist review is recommended first.
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Yes. Our mobile physiotherapists can perform vestibular assessments and repositioning manoeuvres at your home — ideal for patients whose dizziness makes travel unsafe or distressing. View Mobile Physio
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Vestibular physiotherapy specifically addresses inner ear and central vestibular dysfunction. Balance training is one component, but vestibular rehab also includes gaze stabilisation, habituation, and repositioning techniques not typically included in general balance programs.
