Central Vestibulopathies - Dizziness from the Brain -Neurophysiotherapy
Neurological conditions can impact a persons ability to move and engage in their daily lives. Symptoms are so varied that assessments can be longer to fully ascertain a possible cause.
Our Neurological Vestibular Physiotherapists are skilled in the identification of Central Vestibular Dysfunction caused by Neurological Pathologies. They work closely with Neurologists to ensure quick diagnosis and medical treatments if required. Symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, imbalance, rocking / bobbing sensations, double vision, blurred vision, clumsy feet and hands can all be helped with quality rehabilitation by our expert Neurological Vestibular Physiotherapists.
If you have ongoing symptoms of any of the below, our experienced Neurological Vestibular Physiotherapists who have advanced Vestibular training can assist in your optimal recovery.
01
Concussion +
Post-concussion
Concussion is a mild brain injury that results in altered mental and mood states. If you experience a concussion, it's important you seek medical support. With correct management, many people make a full recovery. However, a small number continue to experience ongoing symptoms like fatigue, imbalance, dizziness, pain, difficulty focusing + poor concentration.
02
A stroke occurs when the blood-flow to an area of the brain is interrupted. This can be caused by a burst blood vessel or by a clot causing a blockage. The severity of the symptoms depends on the size of the area of the brain affected, and how long the circulation has been interrupted for. A stroke can often affects one side of the body leaving a weak or numb arm and leg. A stroke may also affect the BrainStem or Cerebellum that causes symptoms like double vision, blurred vision, vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, dysequilibrium, hearing.
03
Traumatic Brain Injury
I when damage occurs to the brain from an accident or incident such as when hitting the head during a car accident, fall, or assult. The damage in the brain results in damage to the neural tissue and loss of nerve conduction. This can lead to difficulty with moving, feeling, spasms, seeing, thinking and talking. If the Brain Stem or Cerebellum is affected symptoms of double vision, dizziness, vertigo, clumsiness in hands / feet, blurred vision, imbalance can occur.
04
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a disease that affects nerves in the brain and the spinal cord resulting from demyelination and axonal loss. It has different forms but people often experience weakness, stiffness or spasms, sensory loss, dizziness, imbalance and fatigue. Specialist advice and treatment from a Neurological Vestibular Physiotherapist can help maximize your potential. Especially when imbalance, dizziness, double vision occur. Getting the right advice soon after diagnosis can improve self management and help maintain abilities over the long term. Treatment later when symptoms progress are beneficial to regain control of movements, balance and function.
07
Motor Neuropathy
MMN (Multifocal Motor Neuropathy) is a rare disorder in which focal areas of multiple motor nerves are attacked by one’s own immune system. Typically, MMN is slowly progressive, resulting in asymmetrical weakness of a patient’s limbs. Patients frequently develop weakness in their hand(s), resulting in dropping of objects or sometimes inability to turn a key in a lock. The weakness associated with MMN can be recognized as fitting a specific nerve territory. There is essentially no numbness, tingling, or pain. Patients with MMN can have other symptoms, including twitching, or small random dimpling of the muscle under the skin which neurologists call fasciculations.The clinical course of MMN is chronically progressive without remission.
05
Cerebellar Dysfunction
Pathologies that affect the Cerebellar – a part of the brain that works on your co-ordination can cause vertigo, dizziness, imbalance and poorly controlled movement - clusminess. This also includes parts of the brainstem that transmit the information to and from the cerebellar.
08
Myasthenia Gravis
Is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles. Certain muscles such as those that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often (but not always) involved in the disorder. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that worsens after periods of activity and improves after periods of rest.
10
Motor Neuron Disease
Motor neurone disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which these neurones fail to work normally. Muscles then gradually weaken and waste, as neurone degenerate and die. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Progressive Muscular Atrophy (PMA), Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) are all subtypes of motor neurone disease.
MND often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in a limb, or slurred speech. Eventually, MND affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease however physiotherapy can be of great benefit to maintain and optimise function.
06
Parkinsons Disease
Parkinson disease affects around 1 in 500 people in the Australia with the average onset of the condition at 50 years old. It affects a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. Because of nerve cell loss this area it is not able to produce enough of the chemical dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for regulating the movement of the body.
People who have Parkinson’s disease may experience involuntary shaking of particular body parts called a ‘tremor’, slow movements and/or stiff and inflexible muscles. In addition, some people may also suffer from balance problems, dizziness, memory problems, loss of sense of smell, insomnia and depression.
09
Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. The initial symptoms are typically changes in sensation or pain along with muscle weakness, beginning in the feet and hands, often spreading to the arms and upper body, with both sides being involved. The symptoms develop may over hours to a few weeks. During the acute phase, the disorder can be life-threatening, with about 15 percent of people developing weakness of the breathing muscles and, therefore, requiring mechanical ventilation. Some are affected by changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system, which can lead to dangerous abnormalities in heart rate and blood pressure. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a form of GBS that recurs and is progressive