Balance & Vestibular Treatment
Do You Have a Fear of Falling?
- Can you stand with your feet together and eyes closed?
- Do you find it difficult to straighten your spine in standing or when walking?
- Do you clutch at objects when walking around your home?
- Are you wobbly?
- Can you turn in a full circle?
- Can you stand on one leg?
- Can you step up and over?
- Can you walk with your head turned?
- Do you look to see where your feet are?
- Can you stand or walk and talk at the same time?
- Are you afraid to go outside in case you fall over?
We can help
Treating Balance Problems
We can help improve your balance and postural stability by using a simple and effective graded exercise programme called the Otago System. The few exercises are illustrated on sheets and are easy to follow.
The system builds up weak muscles associated with poor balance and makes you feel more stable. In building stronger muscles you will increase your confidence, mobility and independence.
Falling is serious and frequent in people aged 65 and over. Each year 35% of the over 65s experience one or more falls. About 45% of people over 80 who live in the community fall each year; 10-25% of these people will sustain an injury.
DO NOT ACCEPT A PROBLEM THAT CAN BE RECTIFIED!
James specialised in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal, and Rheumatology Physiotherapy. James is always looking to develop his treatment skills and has undertaken many courses post qualification to allow him to treat a variety of conditions, both acute and chronic.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
How we can help
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is effective in reducing dizziness and vertigo and associated falls and improving quality of life in people with disorders involving balance mechanisms.
The most common form of dizziness and balance disorder is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), a disorder of the inner ear resulting in episodes of intense dizziness on certain head movements. Significant improvement is achieved in 80% of patients with BPPV after one treatment.
How we can help
Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based programme to encourage the central nervous system to compensate for problems in the inner ear.
A management plan may include:
- eye and head movement exercises
- exercises to improve standing balance and walking
- specific techniques to reposition fragments in the inner ear which cause dizziness in BPPV
- education and advice on activities of daily living to improve confidence and function
- advice on falls reduction/prevention.
James Peirce is our physiotherapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation.
