Dizziness, vertigo and balance problems can significantly affect daily life — impacting confidence, mobility, driving, exercise and even simple movements such as rolling over in bed or turning your head quickly.
For many people, these symptoms originate from the vestibular system — the part of the inner ear responsible for balance and spatial awareness.
At Mornington Peninsula Family Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists provide evidence-based vestibular assessment and rehabilitation to help identify the cause of dizziness and guide recovery safely and effectively.
What Is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is located within the inner ear and helps the brain process:
- Balance
- Head movement
- Eye coordination
- Spatial orientation
- Stability during movement
When this system is disrupted, it can result in symptoms such as:
- Vertigo (spinning sensations)
- Dizziness
- Unsteadiness
- Motion sensitivity
- Balance difficulties
- Nausea
Many people describe vestibular symptoms as feeling:
- “off balance”
- “lightheaded”
- “like the room is spinning”
- “wobbly” or unstable
Common Vestibular Conditions
There are many possible causes of dizziness, which is why assessment is important. In some cases, medical review by a GP, ENT specialist or neurologist may also be recommended.
Some of the most common vestibular conditions include:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo seen in physiotherapy practice.
It occurs when small calcium crystals within the inner ear become displaced, triggering brief episodes of vertigo with certain head movements such as:
- rolling in bed
- looking up
- bending forward
- turning quickly
Symptoms are often sudden and position-dependent.
Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis involves inflammation of the vestibular nerve, commonly following a viral illness.
It may cause:
- sudden severe vertigo
- nausea
- unsteadiness
- difficulty walking or moving confidently
Symptoms can persist for days or weeks and often leave ongoing balance sensitivity even after the acute episode settles.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis affects both the balance and hearing structures of the inner ear.
Common symptoms may include:
- vertigo
- dizziness
- nausea
- hearing changes
- reduced balance function
Menière’s Disease
Menière’s disease is associated with fluid changes within the inner ear and may cause:
- episodic vertigo
- fluctuating hearing loss
- tinnitus
- a feeling of fullness in the ear
How Can Vestibular Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapists with additional vestibular training play an important role in assessing and treating many peripheral vestibular conditions.
Treatment begins with a thorough assessment to identify:
- symptom patterns
- provoking movements
- balance impairments
- eye movement changes
- vestibular system involvement
This helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Treatment for BPPV: The Epley Manoeuvre
BPPV is commonly assessed using positional testing, where specific head movements are used to reproduce symptoms and observe eye movement responses.
Treatment often involves a Canalith Repositioning Manoeuvre, commonly known as the Modified Epley Manoeuvre.
This technique uses a sequence of guided head movements designed to reposition displaced crystals within the inner ear.
Research shows very high success rates for treating BPPV with vestibular physiotherapy, with many people experiencing substantial improvement within 1–3 treatment sessions.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Some vestibular conditions can leave the balance system under-functioning even after the initial illness has resolved.
In these cases, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) helps retrain the brain and nervous system to adapt and compensate more effectively.
Vestibular rehabilitation may include:
- Balance retraining
- Gaze stabilisation exercises
- Habituation exercises for motion sensitivity
- Gradual exposure to movement and visual environments
- Walking and stability training
Treatment is carefully tailored to the individual and progressed gradually to improve confidence, reduce symptoms and restore function safely.
Why Early Assessment Matters
Persistent dizziness and vertigo can significantly affect:
- confidence
- independence
- exercise tolerance
- work capacity
- driving
- falls risk
Many vestibular conditions are highly treatable, particularly when assessed early and managed appropriately.
With accurate diagnosis and evidence-based physiotherapy, many people experience substantial improvement in both symptoms and quality of life.
Ready to feel steady again?
If you’re experiencing dizziness, vertigo or balance issues, our vestibular physiotherapists can assess the cause and guide your recovery with a personalised treatment plan.
Book your vestibular physiotherapy appointment online or call 03 5976 4944
No referral needed
