Vertigo and dizziness can make everyday activities feel unsafe, whether from inner ear issues, neck dysfunction, or concussion. Our physiotherapy-led, vestibular-focused approach identifies the cause of your symptoms and restores your balance, stability, and confidence.
Vertigo and Dizziness Physiotherapy Treatment at Collingwood Physiotherapy & Wellness
Vertigo and Dizziness Physiotherapy Treatment at Collingwood Physiotherapy & Wellness
What Are Vertigo and Dizziness and How Physiotherapy Can Help
Vertigo and dizziness are unsettling symptoms that can make everyday activities feel unsafe and overwhelming. Vertigo often presents as a spinning or tilting sensation, while dizziness may feel like lightheadedness, imbalance, or unsteadiness. These symptoms can arise from issues within the inner ear (vestibular system), neck dysfunction, concussion, or neurological and balance-related conditions.
Common causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, cervicogenic dizziness, post-concussion symptoms, and balance system dysfunction. Without proper treatment, vertigo and dizziness can lead to falls, anxiety, reduced activity levels, and loss of confidence.
At Collingwood Physiotherapy & Wellness, we use a physiotherapy-led approach that is vestibular-focused to identify the cause of your symptoms and restore balance, stability, and confidence.
Vertigo and Dizziness
When Should You Seek Treatment for Vertigo or Dizziness?
Dizziness is not something you have to live with. Early assessment and treatment can dramatically improve symptoms and reduce the risk of recurrence.
You should consider physiotherapy if you experience:
- Spinning sensations when turning in bed or changing positions
- Dizziness with head movements or looking up or down
- Unsteadiness or balance problems when walking
- Nausea associated with movement
- Symptoms following a concussion or neck injury
- Fear of falling or avoiding activities due to dizziness
Prompt treatment helps restore normal vestibular function and reduces symptom persistence.
Our 4-Phase Vertigo & Dizziness Recovery Program
Vertigo and Dizziness
How We Treat Vertigo and Dizziness at Collingwood Physiotherapy & Wellness
Effective treatment starts with identifying the specific system involved. Our physiotherapists are trained in vestibular rehabilitation and assess the inner ear, neck, balance, and neurological systems.
What to Expect During Your Recovery
- Sessions 1–2: Significant symptom reduction or resolution for positional vertigo
- Sessions 3–4: Improved balance and reduced dizziness with movement
- Sessions 5–6: Increased confidence and activity tolerance
- Sessions 7–8: Long-term stability and prevention strategies
Many patients experience rapid relief, especially for BPPV, while others improve steadily over several sessions depending on the condition.
How Our Other Services Help with Vertigo and Dizziness
These services complement physiotherapy by supporting symptom relief and overall balance system recovery.
Why Choose Collingwood Physiotherapy & Wellness for Vertigo and Dizziness?
Dizziness requires precise assessment and specialized care. Our team focuses on restoring balance and confidence through individualized treatment plans.
Patients choose us because we offer:
- Physiotherapists trained in vestibular rehabilitation
- One-on-one, personalized care
- Integrated services including massage and chiropractic care
- Education for long-term symptom management
- Flexible scheduling
Whether your symptoms are recent or long-standing, we’re here to help you feel steady, confident, and in control again.
FAQs About Vertigo and Dizziness Treatment
Can physiotherapy help vertigo?
Yes, and often quickly. Vestibular physiotherapy is highly effective for conditions like BPPV, where precise repositioning techniques can significantly reduce or resolve spinning sensations, sometimes within one to three sessions. Other causes of vertigo respond well too, though timelines vary more.
How many sessions will I need for vertigo or dizziness?
It depends on the cause. Some patients, especially those with BPPV, improve significantly in 1 to 2 sessions, while others with more complex balance or vestibular conditions may need 6 to 8 visits to fully rebuild confidence and stability over time.
Is dizziness always related to the inner ear?
No. Dizziness can also come from the neck, a past concussion, or general balance system dysfunction, not just the inner ear. Your assessment looks at all of these areas together to identify what’s actually driving your specific symptoms before starting treatment.
Can vestibular exercises make my symptoms worse at first?
They can temporarily. Vestibular exercises are designed to gradually retrain your brain and inner ear to work together, and some mild, short-lived symptom flare-up during this process is normal. It’s a sign the exercises are working, not that something is wrong.
Do I need imaging before starting treatment for dizziness?
Usually not. A thorough vestibular assessment, including positional testing and eye movement evaluation, is often enough to identify the cause of your dizziness and start treatment right away, without needing an MRI or any other imaging beforehand in most cases.
Can neck problems cause dizziness?
Yes. Cervicogenic dizziness comes from dysfunction in the neck rather than the inner ear, often after whiplash, prolonged poor posture, or neck stiffness. Treatment focuses on restoring neck mobility and reducing muscle tension, alongside balance retraining if the vestibular system is also affected.
Is it safe to move or exercise when I feel dizzy?
Yes, with guidance. Avoiding movement altogether can actually slow your recovery and reduce your confidence over time. Your physiotherapist paces your exercises so you’re challenged safely, gradually rebuilding your tolerance to the movements that currently trigger your symptoms and reducing your fear of falling.
What is vestibular rehabilitation therapy?
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of physiotherapy that uses targeted exercises to improve balance, gaze stability, and coordination between your eyes, inner ear, and brain. It’s used to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems from inner ear disorders or concussion.
Is vestibular physiotherapy covered by insurance?
Often, yes. Vestibular rehab is delivered by our physiotherapists, so extended health plans that cover physiotherapy usually cover it too. We direct bill more than 40 providers, including Pacific Blue Cross, Sun Life, and Manulife. Call ahead to confirm your specific plan.
Book your first session with us!
By choosing Collingwood Physiotherapy as your healthcare provider, you can expect an experience rooted in trust, personalized care, and clinical excellence
Our Locations
We are proud to now serve the Collingwood community from two convenient locations, making it easier for you to access the care and support you need close to home.
3419 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC
Parking: on Kingsway, Free street parking is available in the surrounding residential area near Kingsway.
5077 Joyce Street, Vancouver, BC
Next to Tim Hortons, with free short-term parking along Joyce St and Vanness St.
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