Vestibular Rehabilitation and Fall Prevention
Staying Steady: How Vestibular Physiotherapy Can Help Reduce Falls in Older Adults

Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults, often resulting in reduced independence, hospital stays, and long-term disability. A major—but often under-recognised—contributor to falls is impaired vestibular function.

At Advanced Vestibular Clinics, we specialise in vestibular rehabilitation, an evidence-based approach to treating balance disorders and reducing fall risk, particularly in older adults.

🧠 What Does the Vestibular System Do?

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, helps detect head movement and spatial orientation. It sends crucial signals to the brain to maintain balance and stability. As we age, or following injury, vestibular function can decline, increasing the likelihood of unsteadiness and falls—especially in the presence of other risk factors like vision changes, muscle weakness, or medications.

👩‍⚕️ How Vestibular Rehabilitation Reduces Falls

Vestibular physiotherapy involves a combination of:

• Gaze stabilisation exercises to reduce dizziness with movement
• Balance retraining to improve postural control
• Functional movement strategies tailored to real-life scenarios
• Education on environmental safety and self-management

These interventions help the brain adapt and compensate for vestibular deficits (Hall et al., 2016). In fact, research shows that vestibular rehabilitation significantly improves balance, reduces dizziness, and lowers fall rates in older populations (McDonnell & Hillier, 2015).

🦶 A Personalised Approach

At Advanced Vestibular Clinics, we assess your fall risk profile, identify vestibular and non-vestibular contributors, and tailor a program to your needs. We also work closely with GPs, ENTs, and aged care providers to ensure coordinated care.

Our goal is to support older adults in maintaining their confidence, independence, and mobility—whether at home, in the community, or during daily activities.

📞 Want to improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls?
🌐 Book with us today: www.avcphysio.com.au

🔍 References

• Hall, C. D., 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).