If you’ve been dizzy or unsteady for a while, someone may have mentioned “vestibular rehabilitation”. It sounds technical, but the idea behind it is simple and surprisingly powerful: your balance system can be retrained, much like a muscle.
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
It’s a set of specific exercises and treatments designed to improve how your brain uses balance information. When your inner ear, eyes and neck stop working together smoothly, your brain gets confused and you feel dizzy or unsteady. Vestibular rehab gradually teaches the brain to recalibrate and compensate, so the dizziness settles.
Who does it help?
- People recovering from an inner-ear infection or vestibular injury
- Ongoing unsteadiness or a floating feeling that won’t settle
- Dizziness that lingers after BPPV has been treated
- Balance problems and a fear of falling, especially with age
It’s less useful for the pure spinning of untreated BPPV, which usually needs a repositioning manoeuvre first, then rehab if symptoms remain.
What do the exercises involve?
They’re tailored to you, but they usually train the systems that keep you steady: eye and head movements to sharpen how your vision and inner ear coordinate, balance drills that gently challenge your stability, and gradual exposure to the movements that trigger your symptoms so your brain stops overreacting to them. They start easy and build up as you improve.
Does it actually work?
For the right person, yes, and often well. The catch is consistency. Like any retraining, it only works if the exercises are done regularly and progressed correctly, which is where guidance from a physiotherapist makes the difference between slow frustration and steady progress.
Frequently asked questions
How long does vestibular rehab take?
It varies, but many people see meaningful improvement within a few weeks of consistent exercises.
Will the exercises make me dizzy?
They can bring on mild symptoms at first, and that’s part of how they work. They’re dosed so it stays manageable and improves over time.
Can I do it at home?
Yes, most of the work is done at home. The physiotherapist assesses you, sets the programme, and adjusts it as you progress.
If dizziness or unsteadiness is lingering, retraining your balance system through a structured vestibular rehabilitation programme may be exactly what’s missing. A physiotherapist in DIFC can assess you and build the right programme. You can book a session here.
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Marcos Jusdado is a physiotherapist and osteopath at Kinesis Clinic, Vida Emirates Hills, in the heart of Dubai. With 9 years of experience and over 12,000 sessions, he specialises in sport physiotherapy, functional neurology (P-DTR), vestibular rehabilitation and chronic pain, working with everyone from busy professionals to competitive athletes. His approach focuses on finding the root cause of pain rather than just treating the symptoms, helping his patient to achieve long-lasting results.
