What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a form of physiotherapy that addresses conditions affecting the inner ear and its connections to the brain. It is used to treat dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, and the disorientation that follows concussion or head injury.
The most common condition treated is BPPV, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, where displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear cause brief but intense spinning sensations triggered by changes in head position. Other vestibular conditions include unilateral vestibular hypofunction, central vestibular disorders, Meniere's disease, and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD).
Vestibular conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated because they are not visible injuries. If you experience recurring dizziness, difficulty with balance, nausea triggered by movement, or visual sensitivity, vestibular physiotherapy is worth exploring.
How We Approach Vestibular Rehabilitation at West 4th Physiotherapy
West 4th Physiotherapy has three physiotherapists with advanced post-graduate vestibular training:
- Marj Belot completed Vestibular Rehab certification through Duke University and the APTA, holds SHIFT Concussion Management Level 2, and has over 38 years of clinical experience including whiplash and post-MVA cases.
- Suzanne Calli completed her Vestibular Rehab training at Emory University in Atlanta and holds SHIFT Concussion Level 2, alongside post-graduate credentials in Merrithew Stott Pilates for rehabilitation support.
- Iain Cumberland holds Advanced Vestibular Management certification and Concussion Management training, with additional background in neurological rehabilitation and Bobath technique.
This depth of specialized expertise is uncommon in a single clinic. Each assessment draws on current evidence for canalith repositioning, gaze stabilization, and balance retraining, adapted to the individual patient's condition and history.
What to Expect from Your Vestibular Physiotherapy Assessment
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Home Program and Follow-Up
What Vestibular Rehabilitation Can Help You Achieve
Reduced or resolved dizziness and vertigo Most patients with BPPV experience significant reduction in symptoms within one to three sessions using canalith repositioning techniques.
Improved balance and confidence in movement Vestibular rehabilitation retrains the brain and inner ear to work together more effectively, reducing the unsteadiness and fear of falling that often accompanies vestibular disorders.
Return to daily activity Whether you are managing a work commute, returning to sport, or simply trying to move through your home without triggering symptoms, vestibular rehab is oriented toward functional, real-world recovery.
BPPV - Vestibular and Vertigo therapy
Vestibular therapy is rehabilitation for the brain, central nervous system, and the inner ear. With special post graduate training, we use innovative techniques that help alleviate symptoms of BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). This therapy can greatly enhance your daily living by reducing dizziness, improving coordination, and fostering a renewed sense of confidence in your mobility.
Book by Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions about Vestibular Therapy
BPPV is typically characterized by brief episodes of intense spinning that occur when you change head position, such as rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending forward. Symptoms usually last less than one minute per episode. A physiotherapist can confirm the diagnosis using specific positional tests at your first assessment.
Yes. Vestibular physiotherapy is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for BPPV and many other vestibular conditions. Repositioning maneuvers are highly effective for BPPV, and exercise-based vestibular rehabilitation has strong evidence for unilateral vestibular hypofunction and post-concussion dizziness.
A vestibular physiotherapist with post-graduate training can assess, diagnose, and treat most common vestibular conditions directly, without a specialist referral. For complex or atypical presentations, your physiotherapist will advise whether additional investigation is warranted and can coordinate with your GP.
No referral is required to book at West 4th Physiotherapy. If your condition is ICBC-related, please book through the ICBC tab. Due to limited hours, to book with Marj Belot, please call the clinic directly at 604-730-9478.
BPPV often resolves in one to three sessions. More complex vestibular conditions typically require six to twelve sessions over several weeks, with a home exercise program in between. Your physiotherapist will give you a clearer timeline after your initial assessment.
Book Your Vestibular Assessment in Vancouver
Suzanne Calli, Marj Belot, and Iain Cumberland are accepting new vestibular patients at our West 4th Avenue clinic. Book online or call 604-730-9478 to get started.
West 4th Physiotherapy Clinic
2211 West 4th Avenue, Suite 216Vancouver, BC
V6K 4S2 View Staff & Treatments
