Balance Disorders & Re-education
There are many diseases that can give rise to a feeling of imbalance, and many of these can be treated successfully by our Rehabilitation Physiotherapists.
Problems affecting the balance mechanisms of the inner ear are the most common but some drugs create a side effect of dizziness and do some blood disorders.
There are four conditions in particular that our Physiotherapists are able to help you with:
Benign Paroxysmal positional Vertigo (BPPV)
The dizziness associated with this condition is of a spinning nature and usually starts with an acute episode of an uncomfortable spinning or rotational imbalance which lasts a minute or less. This is associated with rapid jerky movements of the eyes .
BPPV is primarily caused by the formation of small crystals in the semi circular canals of the ear, the posterior canal being the most commonly affected.
Our Physiotherapists can assess and diagnose which semi circular canal is affected and treat this condition, with a manoeuvre that re-positions these particles within the ear.
Viral Labyrinthitis
Often occurring after a heavy cold or flu with symptoms of spinning vertigo and sickness, this can last a few days to weeks and if a residual feeling of vertigo is felt after the acute symptoms have subsided then again our Physiotherapists can teach you to adapt to the imbalance that you are experiencing .
Menieres Disease
The characteristic of this condition is that attacks of dizziness last anything from 2-24hrs with an intense feeling of dizziness and tinnitus and loss of hearing. This is caused by a build up of pressure in the inner ear called endolymphatic hydrops,
Our Physiotherapists can teach you physical strategies to cope with imbalance such as relaxation techniques and breathing exercises.
The intense episodes of vertigo can be managed with anti–vertiginous drugs.
Central Nervous system causes-of vertigo
The two parts of the brain that co ordinate the central balance control are the cerebellum and the brain stem any disruption of these areas by trauma or disease can produce problems with co-ordination and Balance
