Vestibular Rehabilitation

Specialized physiotherapy to help reduce dizziness, improve balance, and restore confidence in movement.

Line drawing of a human head in profile with stylized atomic orbits and stars around the brain area, representing vestibular rehabilitation. Service offered at Gulf Island Physiotherapy on Salt Spring Island

What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of physiotherapy that helps retrain the brain and body to manage symptoms related to inner ear dysfunction. The vestibular system plays a key role in balance, spatial awareness, and eye movement — when it’s not working properly, it can cause dizziness, vertigo, nausea, imbalance, or a feeling of “brain fog.”

VRT uses targeted exercises, hands-on techniques, and education to reduce symptoms and restore your sense of stability.

  • The vestibular system is a large sensory organ situated within your inner ear. It gathers information regarding acceleration and movements of your head within space. Sending this information to your brain, so your muscles can respond and move in timely fashion to produce movement. When affected, the vestibular system sends false information which is perceived as movement occurring that is not actually taking place. Your eyes respond by darting quickly side to side which is called nystagmus and this is experienced by the individual as vertigo.

  • The most common cause of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This is most commonly referred to when an individual is described as having a build up of crystal formation within the semi-circular canals. Other common causes include neuritis, labyrinthitis and ménières.

  • Generally, within the initial visit we are able to make an accurate diagnosis and depending on the diagnosis can be treated with as little as 1-2 sessions. More complex and chronic cases can last for weeks.

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Symptoms Commonly Caused By Your Vestibular System.

  • Vertigo

  • Spinning

  • Dizziness

  • Double vision

  • Impaired balance

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Lightheadedness

  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

  • Headaches

  • Unsteadiness

  • Difficulty hearing

  • Unusual eye movements

  • Visual sensitivity

  • Blurry or bouncy vision