Vestibular rehabilitation & vertigo therapy
Dizziness is a symptom that can have many causes – and is often very worrying for those affected. It feels as if the ground is swaying, one's mind is blank, or one's body can no longer be safely controlled. Some experience vertigo, others a feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness when walking.
As a specialized physiotherapist, I take the time to understand your complaints precisely, to recognize the underlying causes, and to work with you to develop a clear, individual treatment plan.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
PPPD – Functional Persistent Dizziness
Travel sickness & cyber sickness
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness. It typically manifests as a sudden spinning sensation – for example, when turning over in bed, standing up, lying down, or looking upwards. The cause lies in the inner ear: small crystals (otoliths) have become dislodged and irritate the vestibular system during certain head movements.
Through targeted repositioning maneuvers, which I perform in my practice, these crystals can be returned to their original position. In addition, I work with you on the mobility of your cervical spine and on your stability and balance in movement to prevent relapses.
Vestibular hypofunction
In vestibular hypofunction, the balance organ – usually on one side – is weakened. This can occur after inflammation, a viral infection, or even without any identifiable cause. Many affected individuals report unsteadiness when walking, a feeling of sway, problems with rapid head movements, or blurred vision when moving.
In physiotherapy treatment, we specifically retrain your balance. Through vestibular rehabilitation with head, gaze, and standing exercises, we promote your brain's adaptability – so that you can move safely in everyday life again.
PPPD stands for "Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness," which means persistent, position-dependent, and perception-related dizziness. This form is functional – that is, there is no physical damage, but the balance system is in a constant state of alert.
Typical symptoms include a persistent feeling of lightheadedness, slight unsteadiness, or a feeling of being "not quite there." It becomes particularly unpleasant in environments with many stimuli—for example, in supermarkets, while working at a computer, driving, or in crowds. PPPD often begins after another event: positional vertigo, a panic attack, an infection, or a very stressful period in life.
The therapy aims to restore the hypersensitive balance system to a healthy state of sensory processing.
I will work with you on visual stability, body awareness, fear of movement and the reduction of physical tension – especially in the neck area.
Education is also important: If you understand why your symptoms occur, they often lose their terror.
Vestibular migraine
Vestibular migraine is a common but often unrecognized cause of recurrent vertigo. It manifests as attacks of vertigo that last from minutes to hours and may be accompanied by typical migraine symptoms: sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, or visual disturbances. Sometimes, headache is completely absent – which complicates diagnosis.
I will support you in reducing your sensitivity to stimuli, releasing muscular tension (e.g., in the jaw or neck area), and specifically strengthening your balance. Together, we will work to reduce attacks and improve your quality of life.
Do you experience dizziness, nausea, or general discomfort while driving, reading on the train, or using screens? Then you may be suffering from a so-called visually induced balance disorder. This type of dizziness arises from conflicting information sent to the balance system: Motion sickness: Your body is moving, but your eyes see something different – for example, while reading in the car. Cyber sickness: You see virtual movement (e.g., in video games or VR) while your body remains still. These conflicting stimuli can trigger symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or sensory overload. In therapy, I focus on targeted sensory desensitization, vision and balance training, and strategies for reducing stimuli – tailored to your individual tolerance.
Not "cervical spine vertigo" – but rather: cervical spine reaction to vertigo
A common misconception is that dizziness is directly caused by the cervical spine. However, according to the Barany Society, the international expert body for dizziness disorders, there is no scientific evidence that the cervical spine itself is the cause of actual dizziness. What is very common, however, is that dizziness leads the body to automatically stabilize itself – through persistent tension in the neck muscles. This reaction can lead to pain, restricted movement, and an increased feeling of tension, which subjectively intensifies the dizziness. In my treatment, I help you recognize and specifically release these tension patterns – so that your body feels safe and free again.
Do you feel addressed?
If you recognize yourself in any of the dizziness scenarios described above, please feel free to contact me. Whether the dizziness came on suddenly or you've been experiencing it for some time – I take your symptoms seriously, provide expert treatment, and support you on your path back to greater safety, stability, and quality of life.