Dizziness | Headaches | Imbalance
Our Balance and Falls service involves individually designed activity-based management plans, designed to help prevent falls and subsequent injuries by improving balance and postural control. Control of balance is a complex and dynamic process involving the brain’s management of sensory information from the vestibular system (inner ear), visual system (eyes) and somatosensory system (sensors in the joints and muscles of the body).
If any of these systems fail to provide the necessary information to the brain that it requires to complete a particular task in a particular environment, then problems with balance and falls are more likely to occur.
Conditions such as vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), cervicogenic dizziness (related to neck movement), Meniere’s Disease or headaches and migraines commonly result from impairments of the vestibular and/or visual systems may benefit from vestibular and oculomotor rehabilitation. Neurological conditions such as Parkinsons, Cerebellar ataxia, MS, Stroke and Acquired brain/head injury can impact any of these systems and symptoms of poor balance and falls can be improved with a comprehensive program of vestibular, oculomotor and proprioceptive rehabilitation.
Balance disorders and dizziness are present in all age groups, but prevalence increases with age and in the presence of a neurological condition. Left untreated it can result in worsening unsteadiness, loss of confidence and anxiety, inactivity, loss of independence, an increased risk of falls and falls related injuries.
One of our specialised Physiotherapists will perform a thorough assessment through administering a series of clinical tests and questions. The results of which will be explained and any questions or concerns addressed at the time.
If you have dizziness due to BPPV you will be treated with specialist head and neck manipulations that reposition fragments of debris within the inner ear and in many cases, recovery is very quick.
Other causes of balance problems often respond to exercise therapy.
A personalised exercise-based management plan will be tailored to the individual and will include a self-management programme to be completed at home along with the recommended frequency of treatment sessions.
An exercise-based management plan may include:
Occupational Therapy can help with balance and falls by:
Improving Strength, Balance & Coordination – Guiding clients through targeted activities to:
May include incorporating functional tasks (like standing from a chair or reaching safely).
Making the Home Safer - Reducing hazards in everyday environments. This can include:
Recommending Assistive Equipment – Recommending and education on correct use of equipment such as:
Teaching Safer Movement Strategies – Assisting clients to relearn or adapt how they do daily tasks such as:
Building Confidence & Reducing Fear - After a fall, many people develop a fear of falling again, which can actually increase risk. OT helps by:
Managing Cognitive & Dual-Task Challenges - Balance isn’t just physical - it also involves attention and thinking. Our OT can support clients with:
We currently accept the following Private Medical Insurance
