Vestibular Physiotherapy Service

Why you might need it 

At Spire Harpenden Hospital we understand symptoms of dizziness, vertigo or loss of balance may significantly affect your day-to-day life.

Our vestibular physiotherapy service offers high standards of care and attention which are reflected in the expertise and treatment provided by our specialist physiotherapists.

Assessment and treatment

Our specialist vestibular physiotherapy service aims to improve your symptoms, helping to restore your confidence and return you to your day-to-day activities.

We offer treatment for a wide range of conditions relating to dizziness and balance disorders. Typically conditions can be improved with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, which may include specific rehabilitation techniques, exercises and balance training.

We pride ourselves on treating our patients, not just their symptoms. Your treatment is planned and tailored to address your specific needs.

We will take the time to understand your situation at home and, if appropriate, at work to maximise your recovery potential as your symptoms may be different within different environments and situations.

Preparing for treatment

At your first appointment a detailed medical history will be taken, followed by a thorough assessment of your condition. This enables us to establish your current level of function, from which we can measure your improvement.

You will receive expert advice and treatment with a bespoke programme tailored to your individual needs.

With your consent, our physiotherapists can also refer you to a consultant and can arrange access, if necessary, to our diagnostic facilities including X-ray, CT and MRI scanning.

Your physiotherapist can liaise with your GP or consultant and provide them with a detailed discharge summary at the end of your treatment.

We recommend that you have a friend or family member who can give you a lift home after your physiotherapy as you may find that you feel worse straight after your treatment. 

Which conditions are treated?

Conditions treated include:

• dizziness
• balance difficulties and falls
• loss of confidence in walking
• vertigo
• Meniere's disease (a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance)
• Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear)
• Vestibular neuronitis (is a disorder that affects the nerve of the inner ear)

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a disorder arising in the inner ear resulting in a spinning sensation caused by changes in the position of the head, can be treated and your physiotherapist may carry out the Epley maneuver. 

Making an appointment

For further information on the vestibular physiotherapy service at Spire Harpenden Hospital, or to make an appointment, please call 01582 714 447.