Vestibular disorders are a common presentation amongst the community that we treat at Essendon Physio Group.

With our strong network of ear, nose and throat specialists, we collaborate to ensure the best possible outcomes for those with vestibular disorders.

Vestibular disorders occur when parts of the inner ear and brain, that process the sensory  information such as balance and eye movements, are damaged by a disease or an injury. It can occur for unknown reasons, but can also result or be worsened by genetic and environmental conditions.They can affect both children and adults. In addition to damage of motor development and balance, vestibular deficits may cause poor gaze stability that suppresses children from learning to read. Children are not screened for these disorders, which results in a failure to receive early medical attention and treatment.

Some of the most common symptoms of a Vestibular disorder are:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo (sensation of the room spinning)
• Unsteadiness during gait (disequilibrium)
• Light headedness
• Motion sickness

All these symptoms can lead to a reduced ability to perform daily functional tasks, reduced confidence and social isolation.

At Essendon Physio Group, we will be able to conduct an appropriate and thorough assessment and  outline a detailed management plan. This can involve formal physiotherapy rehabilitation, cross- referral to the exercise physiologists at Exercise for Rehabilitation and Health for Vestibular balance retraining and a home exercise program, or a referral to another health professional such as an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist (ENT)  or Neurologist.

Vestibular conditions that we can assist with include:

• Benign Paraoxsysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Meniere’s Disease
• Cervicogenic Dizziness (neck-related dizziness)
• Presbytasis (age-related balance loss)
• Superior Semicircular Canal Dihiscence (SSCD)
• Imbalance following ear surgery or head injury

Part 2 of this series will go into more detail on some of these Vestibular disorders and touch on how physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology interventions can assist. Part 3 will define some of the techniques that we employ to assist with the treatment of these Vestibular disorders.