Vestibular Therapy in Portland
Vestibular therapy in Portland for dizziness and vertigo, retraining the inner ear and brain connection that keeps you steady so the room stops spinning.
What is vestibular therapy?
Vestibular therapy is specialized physical therapy for dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance that trace back to the inner ear and its connection to your brain and eyes. A Doctor of Physical Therapy trained in vestibular rehabilitation evaluates your eye movements, your positional responses, and how your inner ear system is communicating with your brain, then builds a plan to retrain that connection. This is precise, specific work. Conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, known as BPPV, often respond to specific repositioning maneuvers that move displaced crystals in the inner ear back where they belong, sometimes producing real relief within a single visit. Other forms of chronic dizziness or imbalance respond to habituation and gaze stabilization exercises that retrain your brain to filter and interpret the signals your inner ear is sending. Either way, the goal is the same: get the spinning, swaying, or unsteady feeling under control so you can move through your day without bracing for the next wave of dizziness.
Vestibular symptoms are often dismissed or misunderstood because they do not show up on standard imaging. A thorough vestibular evaluation looks specifically at the system responsible for your balance and orientation, which means the plan we build is aimed at the actual mechanism causing your symptoms, not just a general balance routine.
Who it's for.
Vestibular therapy is for anyone whose dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance traces back to the inner ear and its connection to the brain.
Vertigo and spinning sensations
Sudden vertigo triggered by rolling over in bed or looking up is a hallmark of BPPV. We use specific repositioning techniques that address the inner ear crystals directly causing the sensation.
Chronic dizziness or imbalance
Ongoing dizziness or a persistent feeling of unsteadiness, even without a spinning sensation, often responds to habituation exercises that retrain how your brain processes signals from your inner ear.
Dizziness or visual motion sensitivity after a concussion
Sensitivity to busy visual environments, screens, or head movement after a head injury often has a vestibular component. We use targeted gaze stabilization and habituation exercises to help you tolerate movement again.
What to expect in a session.
Vestibular sessions start with a precise look at your inner ear and eye movement system, then move directly into the techniques that address what we find.
Vestibular-specific assessment
We test your eye movements, positional responses, and balance directly to identify exactly which part of your vestibular system is behind your symptoms.
Targeted repositioning or habituation techniques
Depending on what we find, treatment may include specific repositioning maneuvers, gaze stabilization exercises, or a structured habituation program built to retrain your brain's response.
A home program to reinforce progress
You leave with a clear, specific home exercise routine, because consistent daily practice is often what carries the gains from your session into lasting relief.
Dizziness can sometimes briefly increase right after certain vestibular exercises before it improves. Let your therapist know about any nausea or symptoms during your evaluation so your plan can be paced appropriately.
Great team and great care! I've had the privilege of working with Claire for the past few months, she's been super helpful and encouraging, great as a physical therapist and as a person.
Where to go next.
Physical Therapy
Real, one-on-one care that treats the cause of your pain and gets you back to moving.
Balance and Gait Therapy
Strength, gait mechanics, and fall-prevention training for stability beyond the inner ear.
Dizziness & Vertigo
A closer look at the causes of dizziness and vertigo and how we treat them.
Ready when you are.
Saturday - Sunday: Closed