VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY IN NORTH YORK
Our physiotherapists in North York and Toronto are trained to perform assessment and treatment for issues involving the vestibular system. These conditions lead to problems such as dizziness and loss of balance, more commonly known as vertigo. Vestibular physiotherapy requires specialized assessment and treatment procedures to properly diagnose and manage these conditions.
Questions? Click to call: (437) 494-4888
Same day appointments may be available. Call our clinic!
LOOKING FOR VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY IN NORTH YORK?
Vestibular physiotherapy is a type of treatment that helps people who feel dizzy, off-balance, or unsteady. It focuses on the inner ear and brain, which control balance. A specially trained physiotherapist teaches exercises that retrain the balance system, reduce dizziness, improve steadiness, and help you feel more confident moving around in daily life.
WHAT DOES VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY DO?
If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, a vestibular physiotherapist can help you with your symptoms:
-
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): sudden spinning dizziness when you change head positions.
-
Labyrinthitis / Vestibular Neuritis: inner ear infections causing sudden dizziness and imbalance.
-
Meniere’s Disease: dizziness with hearing changes and ringing in the ear.
-
Post-Concussion Dizziness: balance and motion problems after a head injury.
-
Chronic Dizziness / Vestibular Hypofunction: when the balance system in the inner ear doesn’t work properly.
-
Motion Sensitivity / Motion Sickness: dizziness triggered by movement, cars, screens, or busy environments.
-
Balance problems in older adults: to reduce risk of falls and improve steadiness.
-
Cervicogenic dizziness: dizziness caused by neck issues
-
Vestibular migraine: a type of migraine that mainly causes dizziness, vertigo (a spinning feeling), and balance problems
This way, patients see that vestibular physio isn’t just for “vertigo,” but also for broader dizziness and balance issues.
WHAT IS BPPV?
BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is one of the most common conditions that affects the vestibular system.
It happens when tiny crystals in the inner ear move into the wrong place. When you turn your head a certain way (like looking up, lying down, or rolling over in bed), these crystals shift and confuse your balance system, making you feel like the room is spinning.
Good news: BPPV is not dangerous, and our vestibular physiotherapists in North York can often fix it quickly with special head and body movements.
Need urgent appointment for your BPPV/vertigo in North York? Call our clinic now!
WHAT IS VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSESSMENT?
A vestibular assessment we perform in North York is an in-depth check-up for your balance and dizziness problems. The physiotherapist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and when the dizziness happens. Then, they’ll do gentle tests—like moving your head or body in different positions, checking your eye movements, and looking at how you walk or balance.
The goal is to figure out what’s causing your dizziness or unsteadiness, so they can create the right treatment plan to help you feel steady again.
VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY EXERCISES
Vestibular physiotherapy exercises are special movements and activities designed to retrain your balance system. They gently challenge your brain and inner ear to get used to certain head, eye, and body movements so dizziness and unsteadiness improve over time.
These may include:
-
Balance exercises – practicing standing or walking in different ways to feel steadier.
-
Head and eye exercises – moving your head while focusing your eyes to reduce dizziness.
-
Positioning maneuvers – specific head/body movements to correct problems like BPPV (vertigo from inner ear crystals).
-
Walking and movement practice – to help you feel more confident and reduce fall risk.
The idea is to “retrain” your balance system, just like you’d strengthen a weak muscle with exercise.
Our vestibular physiotherapy exercises in North York are tailored to each patient's specific needs so you will be guided in every step of the way. We provide proven interventions to help with symptoms associated with vertigo.
WHERE CAN I FIND A VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
IN NORTH YORK?
Our team at Betterform Physiotherapy offers vestibular physiotherapy services tailored to your needs. We help people with BPPV, vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Book a session or give us a call to learn more about this specialized physiotherapy service.
Questions? Click to call: (437) 494-4888
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOES VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY WORK?
For the most common causes of dizziness, vestibular physiotherapy is effective and often fast-acting (especially for BPPV), and for longer-lasting conditions it measurably improves steadiness and quality of life over weeks to months.
-
BPPV (inner-ear crystals/“room-spinning” vertigo): repositioning maneuvers (like Epley) are safe and highly effective; studies show symptoms resolve in ~80–90% of cases, often within 1–3 treatments. PMCScienceDirect
-
Vestibular hypofunction (weak inner-ear balance on one or both sides): strong clinical guidelines support vestibular rehab to reduce dizziness and improve balance/gait (gaze-stabilization, balance, and habituation exercises). PMCGulhane Medical Journal
-
Older adults & fall risk: receiving physical therapy for dizziness was linked to an 86% lower odds of a fall within 12 months (observational cohort). Digital/home-based vestibular rehab RCTs also show less dizziness at 3–6 months than usual care. JAMA NetworkPMC
-
Post-concussion dizziness: systematic reviews suggest vestibular rehab reduces symptoms; beginning as early as 10–14 days post-concussion may help speed recovery (evidence still maturing). PMCIJSPT
-
PPPD (persistent postural-perceptual dizziness): customized vestibular rehab can improve dizziness handicap and balance; better results are seen when started earlier.
IS VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPY SAFE?
Yes, vestibular physiotherapy is safe. It is a non-invasive treatment, meaning no surgery or medication is involved. The exercises are carefully tailored to each person’s condition and tolerance.
Some people may feel a temporary increase in dizziness or unsteadiness when starting exercises—this is normal and usually part of the retraining process. Your physiotherapist monitors your response and adjusts the program so it stays safe and effective.
At Betterform Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists are trained, the risks are very low, and the potential benefits—better balance, less dizziness, reduced fall risk—are significant.
WHAT ARE VERTIGO MANEUVERS?
Vertigo maneuvers are special head and body movements that a physiotherapist guides you through to treat certain types of dizziness, especially BPPV (the “crystals in the ear” problem). These maneuvers gently move the loose crystals in your inner ear back into the right spot, which usually stops the spinning sensation.
The most common is the Epley maneuver, but there are others (like the Semont or BBQ roll), depending on which part of the inner ear is affected.
At Betterform Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists would perform an in-depth assessment to determine which maneuver/s are appropriate for your condition.
WHAT DO VESTIBULAR PHYSIOTHERAPISTS DO?
Vestibular physiotherapists assess and treat dizziness and balance problems using specialized exercises and maneuvers to reduce symptoms and improve steadiness.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR CERVICOGENIC DIZZINESS?
Treatment for cervicogenic dizziness focuses on the neck. A physiotherapist may use gentle manual therapy, posture correction, and specific neck and balance exercises to reduce dizziness and improve movement.
Our vestibular physiotherapists are trained to assess and treat cervicogenic dizziness.
WHAT IS VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE?
Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that mainly causes dizziness, vertigo (a spinning feeling), and balance problems—sometimes with or without the usual headache. People may feel lightheaded, off-balance, or sensitive to motion, lights, or sounds.
Treatment often includes lifestyle changes, migraine management, and vestibular physiotherapy to help the brain and balance system adapt.
WHAT IS PPPD?
PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness) is a long-lasting form of dizziness where people feel unsteady, lightheaded, or off-balance most days. Symptoms often get worse when standing, moving, or looking at busy patterns or screens. It isn’t dangerous, but it can affect daily life.
Treatment may include vestibular physiotherapy, strategies to retrain the balance system, and sometimes medical management.
WHY CHOOSE
BETTERFORM PHYSIOTHERAPY?
PHYSIO FOR BPPV
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness, often triggered by specific head movements. At Betterform Physiotherapy, our trained vestibular physiotherapists can effectively treat BPPV using repositioning techniques like the Epley maneuver. These gentle, guided movements help reset the inner ear crystals causing the dizziness, often providing relief in just a few sessions. If you’re experiencing brief episodes of spinning or unsteadiness, book a BPPV physiotherapy assessment to start feeling better, faster.
VERTIGO AND BEYOND
Vestibular physiotherapy can help with more than just vertigo. It is highly effective in treating conditions like vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), and post-concussion dizziness. At Betterform Physiotherapy, we also address motion sensitivity, gaze instability, and balance impairments that can affect your confidence and mobility. Our one-on-one, evidence-based approach helps retrain your brain and body to adapt, so you can move with ease again.
LET'S BRING BALANCE TO YOUR LIFE
Betterform Physiotherapy helps restore your balance and confidence through personalized, evidence-based vestibular rehab. Our expert therapists guide you every step of the way to reduce dizziness and improve stability—so you can get back to living life fully and fearlessly.