COMMON VESTIBULAR ISSUES
Balance Therapy Melbourne
The Vertigo Co can help you manage and treat balance problems caused by vestibular disorders.
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Understanding the Cause of Balance Problems
Feeling unsteady, dizzy, or like the world is spinning around you can be disorienting and frustrating. Whether it’s sudden vertigo, a persistent sense of dizziness, or difficulty maintaining coordination, balance problems can make daily activities—like walking, standing up, or even turning your head—feel unpredictable and challenging.
Dizziness and balance problems often stem from disruptions to the body’s intricate balance system. Understanding the cause of your balance issues is an important first step in finding the right treatment to help alleviate or manage your symptoms.
How the Balance System Works
The balance system relies on constant processing, feedback and adjustment to detect your body’s position and movement. This process requires ongoing communication between the brain, eyes, inner ear, and muscles and joints, all working together to maintain a normal and healthy sense of balance and stability.
The main systems involved in balance are:
The Vestibular System (Inner Ear)
Located inside the ear, the vestibular system is a combination of the three semicircular canals (which sense rotation) and the otolith organs (which sense acceleration and gravity). These act like an internal gyroscope, detecting head movement and changes in position. It helps you stay upright and adjust your posture when you move.
The Visual System (Eyes)
Your eyes provide visual cues about your surroundings, helping your brain understand where your body is in relation to objects and the environment.
The Proprioceptive System (Muscles and Joints)
Sensory receptors in the muscles, joints, and skin constantly relay information to the brain about movement and body position. This allows for automatic corrections to maintain stability.
The brain integrates information from these three systems, allowing it to make quick adjustments to maintain balance. These three balance systems are integrated by the Cerebellum, the back part of the brain which controls co-ordination.
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What Causes Balance Disorders?
Dizziness and balance problems can occur when any part of the balance system is affected. The brain relies on input from all three systems so if one system is sending incorrect information, the brain may misinterpret these signals as imbalance, even when the body is stable.
Vestibular System Disorders
Issues with the vestibular system are among the most common conditions that lead to balance problems. Vestibular disorders can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness and lack of coordination.
Some vestibular-related causes of balance problems include:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
A condition where tiny crystals in the inner ear become dislodged, resulting in positional vertigo associated with getting out of bed, rolling in bed, looking up or bending over.
Vestibular Migraine
A type of migraine that affects the vestibular system, leading to dizziness, nausea, and balance disturbances.
Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
Viral infections that inflame the vestibular nerve or inner ear, leading to severe vertigo and unsteadiness.
Meniere’s Disease
A disorder associated with fluid buildup in the inner ear, causing episodes of vertigo, mid to low frequency hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sense of fullness in the ear.
Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
a condition which result in sensations of persistent rocking and swaying usually worse in busy crowded environments such as supermarkets or shopping centres.
Other Factors Affecting Balance
Aside from vestibular disorders, balance issues may also be caused by:
Visual impairments
Conditions like cataracts or depth perception issues can impact balance.
Proprioceptive Dysfunction
Conditions impacting the joints, skin and muscles such as neuropathy or musculoskeletal conditions can interfere with feedback to the brain.
Neurological Conditions
Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Stroke can impair balance by affecting coordination, muscle control, and brain processing of sensory inputs.
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Balance Treatment with Vestibular Physiotherapy
When balance problems are caused by vestibular system dysfunction, vestibular physiotherapy can help retrain the brain and body to manage balance more effectively.
Vestibular physiotherapy, also known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), employs a range of exercise-based treatments designed to help restore the connection between vestibular input and the brain. Your physiotherapist will conduct an initial assessment including a range of tests to determine the likely cause of your balance problems. Based on this assessment, they will design an individually tailored treatment plan to address your specific balance symptoms. Your plan may include vestibular exercises, repositioning manoeuvres and education on lifestyle changes to help address and manage your symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Occasional balance issues may not be disruptive to your day-to-day life, but persistent balance issues—especially if accompanied by falls, difficulty walking, or symptoms like dizziness, nausea and blurred vision—may indicate an underlying condition. If your symptoms are interfering with daily life or worsening over time, it may be beneficial to seek treatment from a Vestibular Physiotherapist.
The timeline for improvement varies depending on the cause and severity of your balance disorder. For BPPV some people experience immediate relief, whilst for other condition like Vestibular Migraine or Vestibular Neuritis, it can take around 6 – 12 weeks (depending on the cause of your disorder), while others may require longer treatment plans.
A balance assessment typically includes a discussion of your symptoms, a review of your medical history, and tests to evaluate your inner ear function, eye movements, balance, and coordination. These tests help identify the cause of your balance issues and guide treatment recommendations.
A referral from a GP or medical practitioner is not required for private patients unless you wish you wish to obtain a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP). A CDMP allows you to obtain a small rebate from Medicare for up to 5 sessions per calendar year from Medicare. If you are a Workcover or TAC patient, a referral is necessary, and we ask that you contact the clinic before scheduling your appointment. If you have a referral, please bring it along, along with any relevant test results or medical reports, to assist in your assessment and treatment.
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Book an Appointment
If dizziness or balance issue are affecting your everyday life, vestibular rehabilitation therapy may be able to help. Contact us today to book an appointment.