The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
Vestibular rehabilitation
PHYSIOTHERAPY TO REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF INNER EAR CONDITIONS
HCA UK uses physiotherapy for vestibular (inner ear) conditions which cause symptoms such as dizziness. Find out more.
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is used to treat a range of inner ear conditions that cause dizziness and balance problems in the inner ear, such as:
- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- labyrinthitis
- vestibular neuritis.
It can help you to manage your symptoms more effectively through a range of special exercises.
Need to know
Vestibular rehabilitation is carried out by a specially trained physiotherapist.
During your first appointment your physiotherapist will start by asking you about your vestibular condition and compile a detailed assessment of your symptoms.
They will recommend a vestibular rehabilitation exercise programme based on the severity of your condition, including:
- Vestibular compensation
- Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises
- Gaze stabilisation exercises
- Brandt Daroff exercises
- The Semont manoeuvre
- Epley manoeuvre
- Canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs)
As part of your exercise plan, they will also offer advice on exercises that you can do at home.
No special preparation is usually required before vestibular rehabilitation and you can continue to eat and drink beforehand. It may be helpful for you to bring someone with you to your first session so that they can learn the exercises with you and help you to do them at home.
After your vestibular rehabilitation has finished you will be able to go home the same day and you shouldn’t experience any side effects. In some instances you may find that symptoms of dizziness become worse a few days after you start the exercises; however this should improve in time and it’s important that you persevere with them.
Physiotherapy teams
Across the HCA UK network we offer physiotherapy to our inpatients and on an outpatient basis.
Each physiotherapy team is made up of experienced physios who specialise in different areas of physiotherapy including musculoskeletal, respiratory, vestibular, neurological and maternity.
Whether you're an inpatient or outpatient a physiotherapist will work with you to design a therapy plan that suits your individual needs in frequency and intensity.
Physiotherapy at HCA UK is covered by most major insurers and is also available on a self pay basis.
Our Vestibular rehabilitation locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.