Accepting New Patients Every Day! Same-day & walk-in appointments welcome at all our clinics.Same-day & walk-in appointments welcome at all our clinics.
Physiotherapy Clinical Pathway
The vestibular system inside your inner ear coordinates balance, head position, and gaze stability. When disrupted by conditions like BPPV, labyrinthitis, or vestibular neuritis, you may experience severe spinning, nausea, and unsteady balance. Vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted head maneuvers and balance exercises to help the brain adapt, resolve vertigo, and restore spatial confidence.
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized branch of physiotherapy that treats dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders originating from the inner ear or the way the brain processes signals from it. The vestibular system works together with your vision and joint position sense to keep you balanced and your gaze steady while moving, and when it is disrupted, even simple movements like rolling over in bed or turning your head can trigger intense spinning or unsteadiness. Treatment ranges from specific repositioning maneuvers for crystal related vertigo to progressive exercise programs that retrain the brain to compensate for inner ear signals that are no longer working normally.
Dizziness and vertigo are often dismissed as something to just wait out, but many vestibular conditions respond very well to specific, targeted treatment and get worse or become chronic when left unaddressed. Beyond the physical symptoms, ongoing dizziness significantly increases fall risk, particularly in older adults, and often leads people to avoid activity and movement out of fear, which can further delay the brain's natural ability to compensate. A proper vestibular assessment can also help identify exactly which structure is involved, since the right treatment for BPPV is very different from the right treatment for vestibular neuritis or cervicogenic dizziness.
Consider this program if you are experiencing any of the following clinical signs or conditions:
We use structured clinical steps to ensure safety and target your recovery goals effectively:
We assess your specific symptoms, triggers, and perform tests to identify which part of the vestibular system, or which specific inner ear canal, is involved.
For BPPV, we use specific canalith repositioning maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver, that move displaced inner ear crystals back to where they belong, often producing rapid relief.
For other vestibular conditions, we prescribe specific eye and head movement exercises that gradually retrain your brain to tolerate motion without triggering dizziness.
We incorporate balance retraining exercises addressing any residual unsteadiness, particularly important for reducing fall risk in patients with ongoing symptoms.
BPPV frequently resolves in as little as one to three sessions once the correct repositioning maneuver is identified and performed. Vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, or chronic balance disorders typically require a longer course of gaze stabilization and habituation exercises, often over 4 to 8 weeks, since these rely on gradual brain adaptation rather than a single corrective maneuver. It is common to feel briefly more dizzy during specific exercises, which is generally expected as your brain relearns how to process the input.
Gaze stabilization: Exercises to reduce dizziness when moving your head.
Canalith repositioning: Maneuvers to treat vertigo (BPPV) quickly and effectively.
Balance retraining: Clinical exercises to reduce fall risks and improve confidence.
Repositioning maneuvers and vestibular exercise programs used here are based on established clinical practice guidelines for vestibular disorders, delivered by physiotherapists registered with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC with training in vestibular assessment. Any red flag symptoms suggesting a non vestibular cause of dizziness are referred promptly to a physician.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is caused by tiny crystals displacing in the inner ear. We treat it using specific head maneuvers to return crystals to their proper place.
Some exercises may temporarily trigger mild symptoms, which is a normal part of helping the brain recalibrate and adapt.
BPPV often resolves in 1 to 3 sessions, while chronic balance issues may require ongoing exercise therapy for several weeks.
Vertigo specifically refers to a spinning sensation, while dizziness is a broader term that can include lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a floating feeling. The underlying causes and treatments can differ significantly.
Yes, cervicogenic dizziness arises from the neck rather than the inner ear, often following whiplash or chronic neck tension, and responds well to targeted neck and vestibular treatment.
Yes, and it is particularly valuable for older adults, since improving balance and reducing dizziness directly lowers fall risk.
A referral is not required to book an assessment, though we recommend seeing a physician first if you have new or severe dizziness to rule out other causes.
Sudden severe dizziness accompanied by slurred speech, facial drooping, double vision, or weakness needs immediate emergency assessment, as these can indicate a stroke rather than a vestibular issue.
Yes, habituation exercises can help reduce sensitivity to motion for some patients, though the approach depends on the underlying cause of the sensitivity.
It is typically billed under your standard physiotherapy benefit with most extended health plans. We can provide receipts for direct submission to your insurer.
8386 120 St #103, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4
15122 72 Ave #104, Surrey, BC V3S 2G2
