Support for Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance Problems

If you’ve ever woken up and felt like the whole room was spinning…
If you’ve had to grab a wall or piece of furniture just to steady yourself…
If you feel “off,” light-headed, or unsteady and can’t quite explain why…

You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it.

Vestibular issues are common, but they can be scary. Dizziness, vertigo and balance problems can affect your confidence, your ability to drive, work, socialize, and even move around your own home.

At Natural Balance Physiotherapy & Wellness in Cochrane, our vestibular physiotherapy services are designed to gently help your nervous system regain its balance, so you can feel safer and more stable in your body again.

What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy?

The vestibular system is part of your inner ear and brain. It helps you know where you are in space—whether you’re moving, standing still, or turning your head. When this system isn’t working properly, you may feel dizzy, off balance, or like the world is tilting or spinning.

Vestibular physiotherapy (also called vestibular rehab) is a specialized type of physiotherapy that focuses on diagnosing and treating dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders.

Through a combination of assessment, gentle hands-on techniques, and specific exercises, our vestibular physiotherapists in Cochrane help your brain and inner ear work together more smoothly again.

The goal isn’t just to reduce your symptoms—it’s to help you feel more confident and in control of your movement and your life.

Common Symptoms & Conditions We Treat

Vestibular problems can show up in many different ways. You might notice:

  • A spinning sensation (vertigo)

  • Feeling light-headed, “floaty,” or off balance

  • Needing to hold onto walls or furniture

  • Blurry vision or difficulty focusing when you move your head

  • Nausea or motion sensitivity

  • Feeling “off” after a concussion

  • Anxiety about moving, walking outside, or being in busy environments

Our vestibular physiotherapy in Cochrane can help with conditions such as:

  • BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) – often related to tiny crystals in the inner ear that move where they shouldn’t

  • Inner ear disorders that affect your balance and stability

  • Post-concussion dizziness and imbalance

  • Migraine-related dizziness or vestibular migraine

  • Neck-related (cervicogenic) dizziness

  • Age-related balance issues and fear of falling

If you’re not sure what’s causing your dizziness or vertigo, that’s okay. Part of our job as your Cochrane physiotherapy clinic is to help you understand what’s going on and what can be done about it.

Your Vestibular Assessment: What to Expect

We know that coming in for dizziness or vertigo can feel intimidating. You might already be anxious about moving your head, lying down, or turning quickly. Our goal is to make your first appointment feel safe, grounded, and manageable.

During your vestibular physiotherapy assessment in Cochrane, your physiotherapist will:

  1. Listen to your story
    We’ll talk about when your symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life.

  2. Explore your symptoms gently
    Your therapist may guide you through slow, careful position changes, head movements, and balance tasks to understand what triggers your dizziness or vertigo.

  3. Assess your balance, eyes, neck and jaw
    Because dizziness can be influenced by more than just the inner ear, we may also look at your neck, jaw, and posture to see if they are contributing to your symptoms.

  4. Explain what’s happening in clear language
    We’ll share our findings in a way that makes sense, answer your questions, and give you a clear plan.

  5. Begin treatment right away
    If it’s appropriate and you feel comfortable, we’ll typically start with gentle treatment or exercises in your very first session.

You’re always in control. We move at your pace, explain each step, and stop or pause whenever you need.

How Vestibular Physiotherapy Helps

Vestibular rehabilitation is very active and individualized. Your treatment may include:

Repositioning Manoeuvres

For conditions like BPPV, your physiotherapist may use gentle canalith repositioning manoeuvres to help move inner ear crystals back where they belong. These specific sequences of head and body positions can often reduce spinning sensations very quickly.

Balance and Gait Training

We’ll use progressive exercises to help you walk, stand, and turn with more stability. This may include standing on different surfaces, changing directions, or practising real-life movements in a safe, supported way.

Gaze Stabilization & Eye–Head Exercises

If your dizziness is linked to eye or head movement, we’ll guide you through gaze stabilization exercises that help your eyes and inner ear work together more effectively.

Habituation Exercises

If certain movements or positions always trigger your symptoms, we may gradually expose you to those things in a controlled way. Over time, your nervous system becomes less reactive and you feel more comfortable moving through your day.

Education & Home Program

You’ll also receive a simple, customized home program. We’ll explain exactly what to do, how often, and what to expect as you work through your exercises.

Our approach to vestibular physio in Cochrane is gentle but purposeful—we aim to reduce your symptoms while also helping you rebuild confidence in your body.

Why Choose Natural Balance for Vestibular Physiotherapy in Cochrane?

There are many places to seek physiotherapy in Cochrane, but Natural Balance is a little different.

  • Whole-person focus
    We don’t just look at your inner ear. We consider your neck, jaw, posture, nervous system, and even the emotional impact of feeling dizzy or unsafe in your own body.

  • Warm, calming environment
    Our clinic space and our team are intentionally welcoming and grounding—especially important when you’re sensitive to movement, light, or busy spaces.

  • Integrated team support
    Alongside vestibular physiotherapy, we also offer TMJ care, IMS, manual osteopathy, massage therapy, counselling, and craniosacral therapy. When needed, we work together to support your recovery from multiple angles.

  • Local Cochrane care
    We’re proud to be a community-based Cochrane physiotherapy clinic, helping our neighbours move, feel, and live better every day.

Who Can Benefit From Vestibular Physiotherapy?

Vestibular physiotherapy can help a wide range of people, including:

  • Adults experiencing sudden or recurring vertigo

  • Older adults who feel unsteady or are afraid of falling

  • People recovering from a concussion or head injury

  • Those living with migraine-related dizziness

  • Individuals who feel dizzy in busy stores, on screens, or in vehicles

  • Anyone who feels like their body has lost its sense of balance

If dizziness or vertigo is limiting your life—whether it’s driving, walking outside, working, or playing with your kids—vestibular physio in Cochrane may be a key part of your recovery.

Coverage, Insurance & Booking

Vestibular physiotherapy sessions are billed as physiotherapy, which means:

  • Most extended health benefit plans cover a portion of your visit

  • You may be able to use workplace or private insurance

  • In some cases, dizziness linked to a concussion, motor vehicle accident, or workplace injury may be covered under MVA or WCB physiotherapy

If you’re unsure about your coverage, our admin team is happy to help you navigate your options as best we can.

Vestibular Physiotherapy FAQs

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

No. You can book directly with one of our physiotherapists. Some insurance plans may request a referral, so it’s a good idea to check your benefits.

How many vestibular physio sessions will I need?

It depends on the cause of your dizziness, how long you’ve had symptoms, and how your body responds. Some BPPV cases improve in just a few sessions, while more complex conditions may require a longer plan.

Is vestibular physiotherapy safe?

Yes. We move slowly and monitor your response closely. It’s normal for certain movements to briefly trigger symptoms, but we’ll always work within a range that feels safe and manageable for you.

Can vestibular physiotherapy cure vertigo?

For some conditions, like BPPV, vestibular rehabilitation can significantly reduce or resolve vertigo episodes. For others, it may help your brain adapt so you feel more stable and less symptomatic in day-to-day life.

Ready to Start Feeling More Stable?

Dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems can make the world feel unpredictable and overwhelming. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

If you’re looking for vestibular physiotherapy in Cochrane, AB, our team at Natural Balance is here to support you with calm, evidence-based, whole-person care.

Book your vestibular assessment today and take the next step toward feeling steady, confident, and more at home in your body again.