Vestibular Physiotherapy and Meniere’s Disease: How Rehab Can Help You Regain Balance

Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. Characterised by episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear, it can be both unpredictable and debilitating (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders [NIDCD], 2018).

At Advanced Vestibular Clinics, we understand the challenges of living with Meniere’s disease and offer vestibular physiotherapy as a key tool for managing symptoms and improving daily function.

🎧 What is Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s disease is believed to result from an abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear, disrupting the vestibular and auditory systems. It typically affects one ear and presents with:

• Episodes of spinning vertigo
• Fluctuating hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Aural fullness (pressure in the ear)

While there is no known cure, symptoms can be managed effectively with a combination of medical treatment, diet, and vestibular rehabilitation (Basura et al., 2020).

🧠 How Vestibular Physiotherapy Can Help

Vestibular physiotherapy is not aimed at treating acute vertigo attacks but rather focuses on retraining the brain to compensate for ongoing balance disturbances that can occur between episodes.

Here’s how vestibular rehabilitation helps:

1. Improves Balance and Stability

Between attacks, individuals with Meniere’s often experience imbalance, especially in low-light or visually complex environments. Vestibular exercises can retrain the brain to use other sensory input (like vision and proprioception) more effectively (Hall et al., 2016).

2. Reduces Risk of Falls

Older adults and those with frequent vertigo may be at greater risk of falling. Balance retraining through vestibular physio can help improve safety and mobility (McDonnell & Hillier, 2015).

3. Builds Confidence and Reduces Anxiety

Rehabilitation can help patients feel more in control of their symptoms and reduce fear of movement or future attacks—key components in restoring independence and confidence.

4. Customised Programs

At Advanced Vestibular Clinics, we tailor each program based on your unique symptoms, including gaze stabilisation, balance retraining, and habituation exercises.

🧭 Holistic Management

Vestibular physiotherapy works best when combined with:

• Medical management (e.g., diuretics, corticosteroids)
• Dietary changes (low-sodium, caffeine reduction)
• Stress management techniques

🌐 Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and are experiencing balance issues, vestibular rehabilitation may be right for you. At Advanced Vestibular Clinics, our team of experienced physiotherapists can guide you through a safe and personalised program to help you regain control and confidence.

👉 Book online or learn more at: www.avcphysio.com.au

References

• Basura, G. J., Adams, M. E., Monfared, A., et al. (2020). Clinical practice guideline: Meniere’s disease. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 162(2_suppl), S1–S55.
• Hall, C. D., Herdman, S. J., Whitney, S. L., et al. (2016). Vestibular rehabilitation for peripheral vestibular hypofunction: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 40(2), 124–155.
• McDonnell, M. N., & Hillier, S. L. (2015). Vestibular rehabilitation for unilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD005397.
• NIDCD. (2018). Meniere’s Disease. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov