Vestibular Migraine Physiotherapy in Barrhaven, Ottawa
Vestibular migraine can involve episodes of dizziness, motion sensitivity or imbalance with or without a typical migraine headache. Management may involve both medical and rehabilitation strategies.
What Is Vestibular Migraine?
Vestibular migraine can involve episodes of dizziness, motion sensitivity or imbalance with or without a typical migraine headache. Management may involve both medical and rehabilitation strategies. Because symptoms and functional limitations can have more than one contributing factor, care should begin with an individualized assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Migraine
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may have more than one possible cause. A physiotherapy assessment helps determine what may be contributing to yours.
- Dizziness or vertigo episodes
- Sensitivity to motion or busy visual environments
- Migraine headache, light or sound sensitivity
- Imbalance or nausea
When dizziness needs urgent assessment
Call 911 for sudden dizziness or vertigo with face drooping, arm weakness or numbness, slurred or jumbled speech, a sudden severe headache, new double vision, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Sudden neurological symptoms can be signs of a stroke and require emergency assessment.
This is not a complete list of emergencies. New, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms should be assessed urgently.
What May Contribute to Vestibular Migraine?
There is not always one single cause. Symptoms may reflect a combination of tissue irritation, movement demands, previous injury, strength, mobility and other individual factors.
Migraine-related nervous-system sensitivity
Visual or motion triggers
Sleep, stress or other migraine triggers
Overlapping neck or vestibular factors
When Should You Consider Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy can be useful when neurological, balance or vestibular symptoms are affecting everyday function or making it difficult to return safely to normal activities.
- Symptoms are affecting balance, walking, concentration, confidence or everyday function
- Certain movements, positions or environments repeatedly trigger symptoms
- You feel less steady or confident during work, exercise or community activities
- You are having difficulty returning to normal routines after a concussion, vestibular problem or neurological event
- You need guidance on safe progression of activity and exercise
- You want a clearer rehabilitation plan based on your current abilities and goals
Your Vestibular Migraine Assessment and Recovery Plan
We focus on what your symptoms are stopping you from doing and build your plan around restoring movement, function and confidence.
Listen
We review how the problem began, how it affects daily life, your health history and the activities or goals that matter to you.
Assess
We assess the movement, strength, mobility, balance, coordination or functional tasks that are relevant to your presentation.
Treat
Your plan may include education, targeted exercise, movement retraining, hands-on treatment and other appropriate options based on your assessment.
Progress
We adjust the plan as you improve so you can build capacity and return to the activities that matter to you with greater confidence.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first visit starts with a conversation about your symptoms, health history, daily activities and recovery goals. Your physiotherapist then completes an assessment based on your presentation and explains the findings in plain language. Before you leave, you should have a clearer understanding of what may be contributing to the problem, what you can begin doing safely, and what the next steps in your rehabilitation plan may look like.
Vestibular Migraine FAQ
Can physiotherapy help with Vestibular Migraine?
Physiotherapy can help assess the movement, strength, mobility and functional factors connected with your symptoms. Treatment depends on what we find and may include exercise, education, movement retraining, hands-on care and other appropriate options.
What happens at my first appointment?
We review your symptoms, history and goals, assess the movements and activities that are relevant to you, explain our findings, and discuss an individualized treatment and rehabilitation plan.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery time varies depending on the condition, how long symptoms have been present, your overall health, activity demands and how your body responds to treatment. We track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
When should I book an assessment?
Consider an assessment when symptoms are limiting movement, sleep, work, exercise or everyday activity, when the problem keeps returning, or when you are unsure how to progress safely.
Services That May Be Considered
Your treatment plan depends on your assessment, goals and stage of recovery. These services may be considered when clinically appropriate.