Have you ever felt dizzy when turning your head, unsteady while walking, or as though the room was spinning around you? While occasional dizziness can happen to anyone, persistent vertigo, balance problems, and feelings of unsteadiness can significantly impact daily life.

Simple activities such as walking, driving, exercising, shopping, or even getting out of bed can become challenging and anxiety-provoking. Fortunately, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a specialised form of physiotherapy designed to assess and treat these symptoms, helping people regain confidence and return to the activities they enjoy.

The vestibular system is a complex network within the inner ear and brain that helps control balance, spatial awareness, and eye movements. When this system is disrupted, symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, nausea, blurred vision, motion sensitivity, and balance difficulties can occur.

Vestibular disorders are generally classified as either peripheral or central, depending on where the problem originates.

Peripheral vestibular disorders affect the inner ear or vestibular nerve and are among the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo. Conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis, and Ménière’s Disease often cause symptoms that are triggered by head movements and changes in position.

Central vestibular disorders originate within the brain and central nervous system. These may be associated with conditions such as stroke, vestibular migraine, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological disorders affecting balance and coordination. Because central vestibular conditions can be more complex, they often require detailed assessment and longer-term rehabilitation strategies.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps the brain and body adapt to vestibular dysfunction. Depending on the cause of symptoms, treatment may include:

• Balance and gait retraining

• Gaze stabilisation exercises

• Habituation exercises for motion sensitivity

• Canalith repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV

• Functional movement training

• Falls prevention strategies

One of the most important aspects of vestibular rehabilitation is accurate diagnosis. Two people experiencing “dizziness” may have completely different underlying causes, which is why a thorough assessment is essential before beginning treatment.

At Form Foundry Clinic, our physiotherapists provide comprehensive vestibular assessments and personalised rehabilitation programmes designed to address the root cause of symptoms—not just manage them. With the right treatment plan, many people experience significant improvements in balance, confidence, and quality of life.

If dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems are preventing you from feeling like yourself, seeking expert assessment is often the first step towards feeling steady, confident, and active again.