Exclusive Service
Vestibular and Dizziness Assessment and Rehabilitation
Our Approach
Our approach to Vestibular Assessment at The London Neurocognitive Clinic begins with a detailed assessment of the individual’s symptoms, medical history, mobility, balance and the situations in which dizziness or unsteadiness is most noticeable. The clinician may explore whether symptoms are triggered by head movement, changes in position, walking, visual environments, fatigue or particular activities.
Rehabilitation is then tailored to the individual’s presentation and goals. This may include vestibular exercises, balance retraining, movement practice, habituation techniques, gaze-stabilisation work and strategies to improve confidence in everyday environments. Where appropriate, rehabilitation may also be coordinated with Neuropsychology, Occupational Therapy or other members of the multidisciplinary team
Why do certain movements or environments make my dizziness worse?
Vestibular symptoms can become more noticeable when the brain receives conflicting information from the inner ear, vision and the body’s balance systems. Head movements, turning quickly, bending, looking up or moving from sitting to standing may therefore provoke symptoms for some individuals.
Assessment helps identify which movements or environments trigger symptoms and how the individual responds. This allows rehabilitation to be targeted carefully rather than simply advising avoidance.
The clinician may introduce graded exposure to provoking movements or environments so that the nervous system can gradually become more tolerant and the individual can regain confidence.
How can vestibular rehabilitation improve balance and mobility?
Vestibular rehabilitation aims to help the brain adapt to altered balance information and improve the coordination between vision, head movement and postural control.
The goal is to improve everyday function rather than simply reduce symptoms during a clinic exercise. Progress may therefore be measured through activities such as walking outdoors, using public transport, shopping, returning to work or moving around the home more safely.
What if I have started avoiding movement because I am afraid of becoming dizzy?
Avoidance is understandable when movement repeatedly triggers uncomfortable symptoms.
Rehabilitation aims to reintroduce movement gradually and safely. The clinician may begin with tasks that provoke only mild symptoms and progressively increase the challenge as tolerance improves.
The individual will also be supported to distinguish between symptoms that are uncomfortable but safe to work through and situations that require caution or further medical review.
Questions our clients ask
Frequently asked questions
You may have lots of questions and that’s understandable. We have provided some answers below to frequently asked questions but if you’re still unsure about something do get in contact with us.
Is dizziness the same as vertigo?
Dizziness is a broad term that can describe many different sensations, including light-headedness, imbalance, floating, swaying or feeling disconnected from the environment.
Vertigo usually refers more specifically to the sensation that either the individual or their surroundings are moving or spinning.
Understanding exactly what the person experiences, how long symptoms last and what triggers them is an important part of the assessment.
Will I feel dizzy during the assessment?
Some parts of the assessment may deliberately reproduce mild symptoms because this can help identify which movements or systems are contributing to the difficulty.
The clinician will explain each task beforehand and monitor how the individual responds. The assessment should be paced carefully, and symptoms will not be provoked unnecessarily.
If a particular movement causes significant or unexpected symptoms, the clinician can modify or stop the task.
How long does vestibular rehabilitation take?
The duration of rehabilitation varies depending on the cause of the symptoms, how long they have been present and how much they affect everyday life.
Some individuals may respond well to a relatively focused period of treatment, while others may need longer-term rehabilitation, particularly where balance, neurological symptoms or fear of movement are also involved.
Progress will be reviewed regularly, and the rehabilitation plan can be adjusted as symptoms and confidence change.
Have Questions?
If you or someone you care for could benefit from professional support or nursing care, we’re here to help. Contact our team today to arrange a care assessment and find out how we can support your wellbeing, recovery, and independence.