Vestibular symptoms which accompany central disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis
Other disorders affecting the peripheral vestibular system
Ototoxicity (from medications such as gentamiacin)
Common Symptoms
Vertigo, dizziness, light headedness
Imbalance, postural instability
Falls
Nausea and vomiting
Visual changes (blurred, movement of visual world)
Hearing changes (fullness, deafness, tinnitus)
Our Approach
Our Physiotherapist Caren Pearce, is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation and has over 15 years clinical experience in this area of physiotherapy. She has expertise in the management of both peripheral (inner ear) and central (brain) vestibular dysfunction including repositioning maneuvres for BPPV; and prescription of gaze stabilistion, balance retraining and habituation exercises.
Our Clinic Located in Glen Forrest, our clinic is equipped with a standardised testing environment and specialised occulomotor and balance equipment.
Your First Appointment At your initial appointment, Caren will take a detailed history from you. You might find it useful to download our pre-appointment information. Please bring a list of your medical conditions and any medications that you are taking. If you have had recent scans, hearing tests or caloric testing, then please bring along these reports also.
Your initial assessment will depend on your symptoms but will include further history taking, an occulomotor assessment (looking at the movement of your eyes and stability of your gaze), positional tests such as sitting to lying, and a balance and walking assessment.
Management of your symptoms depends largely on your underlying condition. Some vestibular conditions are corrected with repositioning maneuvers, whilst others require a period of vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). VRT retrains the brain to process signals coming from your inner ear, in conjunction with those from your other balance systems (vision and proprioception). VRT will help to reduce your feelings of dizziness and improve your balance and stability.
As the assessment will likely reproduce your symptoms, please consider coming along with someone who can drive you home afterward.
