Vestibular rehab in Vancouver — for dizziness, BPPV, vertigo, and post-concussion balance issues.
Vestibular disorders include over 25 conditions with varying symptoms — balance problems, nausea, dizziness and vertigo. These symptoms result from the vestibular system (located in the inner ear), parts of your central nervous system, or the balance between the two being affected. They can occur spontaneously, from trauma, or from disease.
The most common vestibular disorder is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which causes short periods of vertigo — a sensation of the room (or yourself) spinning. This sensation is induced by head movements. BPPV will affect 2.5% of people within their lifetime and becomes more common with age.
Vestibular rehabilitation includes treatment for the central nervous system and the inner ear. This involves an individualised treatment plan with a combination of hands-on treatment and exercises to improve balance and decrease dizziness. Our physiotherapist Erin Gibb has completed post-graduate courses in vestibular assessment and rehabilitation to address each patient’s symptoms and treatment plan.
Contact us if you have any more questions regarding Physiotherapy for Vestibular Rehabilitation.
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Yes — a physiotherapist can treat most causes of dizziness and vertigo. Vestibular rehabilitation is a proven, exercise-based therapy for BPPV, vertigo, balance problems, and post-concussion dizziness, delivered at both Envision clinics in Vancouver.
Can a physiotherapist treat vertigo?
Yes. A vestibular-trained physiotherapist assesses the inner-ear and balance systems and treats the cause — for example, the Epley manoeuvre for BPPV, or gaze-stabilisation and habituation exercises for ongoing dizziness. No doctor's referral is needed to book in BC.
Vestibular physiotherapy can dramatically improve symptoms for a wide range of inner-ear and balance conditions.
Short, intense bouts of vertigo triggered by head movement. The most common vestibular disorder — usually resolved in 1–3 sessions of repositioning manoeuvres.
Inflammation of the inner-ear nerve causing severe dizziness and balance disturbance. Vestibular rehab accelerates the central compensation process.
Persistent dizziness, motion sensitivity and visual disturbance after a concussion. Vestibular and oculomotor exercises help recalibrate the system.
Loss of balance confidence with age, after illness, or following surgery. Targeted programs rebuild balance and reduce fall risk.
Yes. A vestibular-trained physiotherapist assesses the inner-ear and balance systems and treats the underlying cause of vertigo — for example, the Epley manoeuvre for BPPV (the most common cause of positional vertigo), or gaze-stabilisation and habituation exercises for persistent dizziness. No doctor's referral is required to book a physiotherapist in British Columbia.
Vestibular rehabilitation is an individualised, exercise-based programme. After an assessment of your inner-ear, visual and balance systems, your physiotherapist prescribes a combination of hands-on treatment and specific exercises — gaze stabilisation, habituation, balance retraining, and repositioning manoeuvres such as the Epley for BPPV — to reduce dizziness and improve balance.
It depends on the cause. BPPV can often resolve in one to three sessions with repositioning manoeuvres. Dizziness from other vestibular or post-concussion causes typically improves over several weeks of consistent exercises. Your physiotherapist sets a timeline after the initial assessment and adjusts as you progress.
Yes. Dizziness and balance problems are among the most common post-concussion symptoms, and vestibular rehabilitation is a core part of concussion recovery. After a car accident, this treatment is covered by ICBC at Envision Physiotherapy's two Vancouver clinics.
The Epley manoeuvre is effective for BPPV, but it should be matched to the correct ear and canal first — which is what the assessment confirms. Done for the wrong type of vertigo it won't help and can worsen symptoms. It's safest to be assessed and shown the correct technique before relying on it at home.
They feel similar but differ in cause and treatment. BPPV causes brief, intense spinning triggered by head-position changes and responds to repositioning manoeuvres. Vestibular neuritis causes sudden, constant vertigo from inner-ear inflammation. Vestibular migraine causes recurrent dizziness often with headache or visual symptoms. A vestibular assessment distinguishes them so treatment is targeted correctly.
Medically reviewed for clinical accuracy by Taylor Dibrita, Registered Physiotherapist (MScPT, BKin, IMS), Associate Physiotherapist at Envision Physiotherapy.
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Physiotherapist
Erin completed a Bachelors degree in Physiology and Pharmacology and a Masters degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds further certification in IMS dry needling, concussion and vestibular rehabilitation, and clinical Pilates. Erin has worked with sports teams at amateur and Olympic levels including soccer, football and snowboarding. She has a special interest in ACL rehabilitation, running injuries, and the adolescent population.
Book your vestibular assessment with Erin at either of our Vancouver clinics.
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