Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation is a physiotherapy approach based on manoeuvres and exercises to relieve symptoms often caused by damage to the vestibular system, located in the inner ear. The vestibular system plays an important role in maintaining balance and perception of the body in space.
This approach treats many conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, neuronitis or neuritis, vestibular migraines, head trauma and also helps in the management of Meniere’s disease symptoms.
What happens during an appointment?
The professional evaluates the functioning of the vestibular system in order to determine the cause of these very common but under-diagnosed symptoms. Various manoeuvres and treatment techniques can be performed by the physiotherapist to reduce the intensity and duration of dizziness and vertigo, improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. A personalized and specific exercise program is also established to promote brain habituation.
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation where you feel like the room is spinning 360 degrees. Dizziness can cause many different sensations; feeling like you're on a boat, feeling like you're being pulled to the side, falling backwards, looking at something and things are moving, feeling lightheaded or drunk. There are many ways to feel dizzy, so don't hesitate to mention it to your therapist.
Interesting facts
Often, vestibular disorders are associated with nystagmus. What is nystagmus? Nystagmus is an involuntary movement of both eyes that is rhythmic, rapid, jerky and alternately changes direction. So don’t be surprised if we look closely at your eyes during the evaluation, because the answer is there!
Did you know that it can be normal to feel tinnitus or ringing in your ears when you have certain vestibular disorders? Therefore, it is important to mention it to your therapist during the evaluation.
In some cases, it is relevant to improve the vestibulo-ocular reflex. What is the vestibulo-ocular reflex? It is a reflex of the eyes that sends them in the opposite direction of the head’s movement, to maintain a clear and stable vision of the surroundings during head movements, which is very useful when driving for example.
Our physiotherapists
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Andrea DewarPhysiotherapist -
Marie-Andrée DufourPhysiotherapist
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Maxime BesnerFounder & Physiotherapist
Andrea Dewar
During the years she worked at the hospital, she was a member of the Canadian Waterpolo team and participated as an athlete in the Olympic Games in Athens 2004, the World Championships in Barcelona 2003, Fukuoka 2001 (bronze) and the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo 2003 (silver).
With her involvement in sports, Andrea has worked as a physiotherapist for the Canadian Junior Women's Waterpolo team, the Dollard-des-Ormeaux Waterpolo Club, the Pointe-Claire Swim Club as well as the Pointe-Claire Canoe-Kayak Club.
Andrea has her Level 3 post-graduate manual therapy course and over the past 20 years has done numerous post graduate courses in myofascial release, running courses, vestibular therapy, yoga for pain, thoracic ring approach among others. Andrea loves running (has done half and full marathons in her past) ), triathlons (half Ironman, Olympic and sprint), cross country skiing and swimming.
Marie-Andrée Dufour
In order to deepen her skills in physiotherapy, she has completed a course on concussion management and has developed an expertise for vestibular conditions. She has also taken several other courses including the McKenzie Part A approach for lower back problems as well as the Level 1.0 running analysis. She plans to continue developing her expertise in the coming years with continuing education in manual therapy.
For her mental health, she enjoys traveling to discover the history and different cultures of the world that surround us. Her goal would be to visit all the continents once in her life! For her physical health, Marie-Andrée is very passionate about sports, she regularly plays soccer and hikes, but she also enjoys all outdoor sports such as camping, kayaking, paddle boarding, cycling and running!
Maxime Besner
Maxime's reputation is well established when it comes to jaws, headaches, migraines, concussions and other neck, face and head disorders. An expert in the field, he teaches health professionals about jaw disorders and works with the majority of dentists in the west of Montreal. He is compassionate, treats his clients as a whole and does not hesitate to work with other professionals to optimize his clients' results.
Involved with sports teams since his graduation, Maxime has recently been working mainly with elite soccer players, the Quebec Freestyle Ski Team (moguls) and with local schools (Cité-des-Jeunes and the sport-études program at Chêne-Bleu).
Father of 3 children and self-described as a passionate, Maxime plays several instruments. Mainly mastering the guitar and the piano, he also plays percussion, ukulele and recently started playing the cello. Playing music is the best way for him to take a break and, as he says himself, “it helps stop the 8 hamsters running around in his head”. Camping and the outdoors are other hobbies that Maxime values as a way to take care of his mental health.
For his physical health, Maxime likes to ride his bike to work. He plays soccer, tennis, golf and also enjoys water sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding.