Vestibular Rehabilitation at South Simcoe Physiotherapy – Tottenham
Contact UsHelping You Regain Your Balance and Confidence
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, or like the room is spinning can make everyday activities challenging. At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, we provide patient-centred vestibular rehabilitation to help identify the cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan to get you back to feeling your best.
Our physiotherapists take the time to listen to your concerns, understand how your symptoms affect your daily life, and work with you to improve your balance, mobility, and confidence.
What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physiotherapy designed to treat dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and other symptoms related to the vestibular system. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and plays an important role in maintaining balance, controlling eye movements, and helping you understand where your body is in space.
When this system is not working properly, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Balance difficulties
- Unsteadiness when walking
- Motion sensitivity
- Blurred vision with head movements
- Nausea
Vestibular rehabilitation uses specific assessment techniques and exercises to help reduce symptoms and improve function.
Common Causes of Dizziness and Balance Problems
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Concussions and head injuries
- Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
- Meniere’s disease
- Age-related vestibular changes
- Neck-related dizziness (cervicogenic dizziness)
- Neurological conditions
- Vision-related issues
- Balance impairments and fall risk
A thorough assessment is essential to determine the cause of your symptoms and the most appropriate treatment approach.
What is BPPV?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo. It occurs when tiny crystals within the inner ear become displaced and move into areas where they do not belong.
Common symptoms of BPPV include:
- Brief episodes of spinning sensations
- Dizziness when rolling in bed
- Symptoms when looking up or bending down
- Nausea
- Feeling off balance
The good news is that BPPV can often be treated effectively using specific repositioning techniques performed by a trained physiotherapist.
What to Expect During Your Assessment
At South Simcoe Physiotherapy – Tottenham, your assessment will focus on understanding your symptoms, medical history, and functional goals.
Your physiotherapist may assess:
- Balance and stability
- Walking and movement patterns
- Eye movements
- Head and neck mobility
- Vestibular function
- Positional testing for BPPV
This comprehensive evaluation helps us determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
How Vestibular Rehabilitation Can Help
Vestibular Exercises
Exercises designed to help your brain and body adapt to changes in the vestibular system and improve balance.
Balance Training
Targeted activities to improve stability, coordination, and confidence during daily activities.
Gait Training
Walking exercises that help improve mobility and reduce the risk of falls.
BPPV Treatment
Specific repositioning manoeuvres that move displaced crystals back to their proper location within the inner ear.
Visual and Eye Movement Exercises
Exercises that improve coordination between your eyes, head, and balance system.
Education and Self-Management Strategies
Guidance on managing symptoms, staying active safely, and preventing future episodes.
Benefits of Vestibular Rehabilitation
- Reduced dizziness and vertigo
- Improved balance and coordination
- Better confidence with walking and movement
- Reduced risk of falls
- Improved ability to participate in daily activities
- Greater independence and quality of life
A Patient-Centred Approach
At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, we understand that dizziness and balance problems can affect every aspect of your life. Our goal is to provide individualized care that addresses your unique symptoms and helps you return to the activities that matter most to you.
Whether your symptoms are new, ongoing, or related to a recent injury or concussion, our team is here to help.
Book Your Vestibular Assessment
If you are experiencing dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or unexplained unsteadiness, our physiotherapists can help identify the cause and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Contact South Simcoe Physiotherapy – Tottenham today to learn more about vestibular rehabilitation and start your journey toward better balance and confidence.
MANUAL AND MANIPULATIVE THERAPY
Our therapists use a variety of hands-on techniques to both accurately assess and efficiently treat patients. Specialized training through the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (orthodiv.org) allows for accurate diagnosis and faster recovery. Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapists (FCAMPT) have taken extensive post-graduate training and have received international recognition in hands-on techniques.
manippt.org
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
At South Simcoe Physiotherapy, we have training in the Shift Concussion Management Program (shiftconcussion.ca). Using this program as a basis, we thoroughly assess the individual systems often affected in a concussion using a variety of tests, as well as cognitive tools such as ImPACT. Once an accurate assessment has been performed, we develop a multifaceted rehabilitation strategy to return the individual to optimal function.
PELVIC HEALTH
massage therapy
Massage therapy is a form of hands-on treatment that affects the body’s soft tissues, such as the muscles, connective tissue, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Massage therapy can have therapeutic effects on the muscular, circulatory, and nervous systems. For more information on Registered massage therapy, please visit: www.rmtao.com
acupuncture
Acupuncture is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and uses tiny needles that are inserted into various points in the body. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural healing mechanisms and is effective in treating a variety of conditions, including headaches, back pain, neck pain, various overuse injuries, and sports injuries. Our therapists have training in acupuncture through Acupuncture Canada ( https://www.acupuncturecanada.org)
RUNNING ASSESSMENT / GAIT ANALYSIS
Gait analysis and Running Assessments can be useful in determining biomechanical irregularities during either walking or running that are either causing or are caused by a certain condition or injury. Gait analysis can also help to identify inefficiencies that may be reducing performance in runners and perhaps predisposing or contributing to injury.
We use multiple tools to analyze a person’s gait. First, we use our physiotherapy backgrounds and knowledge of biomechanics. By observing someone walking/running/using the treadmill (and perhaps recording them), we can often identify these major faults. A biomechanical exam can also aid in this process through identifying structural limitations, muscle weakness and tone, and a variety of other potential faults. Finally, using training from courses such as those taught at The Running Clinic https://therunningclinic.com/en can help to consolidate all of this information while allowing us to make recommendations on items such as footwear, training schedules, and other information relevant to your specific situation.
IMS/IDN
Intramuscular Stimulation and Integrated Dry Needling. Both IMS and IDN are forms of dry needling where an acupuncture needle is inserted into a taut band in a shortened muscle or near the nerve root in order to cause a reflex relaxation of the muscle, microtrauma to stimulate natural healing, and create an action potential to restore normal nerve conduction. This technique can be extremely useful to treat chronic pain, myofascial pain syndromes, many sports injuries, and overuse injuries. For more information, visit: www.istop.org
exercise prescription
Exercise is an essential part of all rehabilitation programs. In order to restore normal muscle length and strength, correct biomechanical faults, and return to function, exercises need to be specifically tailored to suit individual needs.
custom bracing
Our clinic is pleased to offer custom braces to aid in conditions such as ACL tears, meniscus injuries, knee osteoarthritis, and more.
shockwave therapy
Shockwave is a non-invasive way to treat many muscular, tendinous, ligamentous, and bone problems that lead to pain and loss of function. Briefly stated it uses strong energy pulses to stimulate increased blood flow and metabolism, allowing regeneration of damaged tissue. A phenomenon called “micro-cavitation” occurs where “bubbles’ expand and burst, creating a force that penetrates damaged tissue and stimulates cell reparation. Shockwave is especially effective in treating issues that have been unresponsive to other conservative methods.
VIDEO AND TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS
At a time when social distancing is necessary, we are pleased to be able to offer our exceptional care in an alternative method. Video consultations (think FaceTime or Skype) can be an effective method to assess and treat musculoskeletal and other physiotherapy-appropriate impairments. A thorough analysis can be conducted by performing a detailed subjective, observing individual movements, performing simple tasks and special tests, and evaluating the environmental factors that aggravate the condition. From there, our therapist can devise an appropriate treatment plan including self-management strategies, modifications, and exercises appropriate to address your condition. The therapist is easily able to demonstrate the exercises and observe you performing them, and can even send you video demonstrations of the exercises. For those who are unable to access reliable internet or do not regularly use a computer, telephone consults are also an option.
No doctor's referral is necessary, and these sessions are covered by most insurers
NATUROPATHY
Naturopathic doctors are primary general health care practitioners, trained to handle a broad range of health issues and concerns. These health issues include (but are not limited to): Stress & Anxiety, Fatigue, Weight Management, Skin Health, Digestion, Pain, Cardiovascular, Immune Issues, Women's, Men's, and Children's Health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is physiotherapy?
Simply stated, physiotherapy is the treatment of deficits and disease without the use of medications. Physiotherapy is useful for the majority of injuries and ailments one might suffer. The goal of our physiotherapists is to reduce your symptoms and allow you to return to function in a timely manner. If you are unsure if your condition is appropriate for physiotherapy, please feel free to contact us.
How do I pay for your services?
Does OHIP cover physiotherapy?
Do I need a doctor’s referral to come and see you?
What do I need to wear for my assessment?
Will my private insurance cover the cost of this treatment?
What if my injuries are as a result of a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury?
- Date of accident
- Claim number
- Adjuster’s name and contact information
- Private health insurance information (if applicable)
- Area of injury
We are able to direct bill your motor vehicle insurance, but please note that all of your private health insurance must be used prior to accessing your motor vehicle insurance. These rules are mandated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and not our clinic.
Workplace injury (WSIB): we often treat people as a result of a workplace injury, however, we do not bill WSIB directly. If your injury is part of a WSIB claim, you are expected to pay just as other clients and then submit your invoices to WSIB.