How to Measure Your Progress in Vestibular Physiotherapy
> “Dizziness is the third most common complaint in outpatient clinics, trailing only chest pain and fatigue.” – National Institutes of Health
That’s a big deal. If you’re dealing with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, you already know how disruptive it can be. Life gets smaller. Moving your head feels risky. You scan rooms for the nearest chair or wall to grab. But here’s the good news: vestibular physiotherapy works—and progress can be measured.
This post will show you exactly how to track your journey through vestibular rehabilitation so you can feel steady, confident, and safe again.
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What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy is a specialised form of physiotherapy that targets disorders of the inner ear and brain that cause dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. Whether you’re recovering from vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), or a concussion, this therapy uses targeted movements to retrain your brain and body.
But recovery is rarely linear. You’ll have better days and worse ones. That’s why measuring progress is so critical.
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Why Tracking Progress Matters
Measuring your progress isn’t just about numbers—it’s about confidence. Knowing you’re improving keeps you motivated. It also helps your therapist tailor your program, challenge you at the right time, and avoid overloading your system.
The key is to use objective tools alongside how you feel. Let’s dive into the best ways to do that.
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Key Ways to Measure Progress in Vestibular Rehabilitation
1. Subjective Scales: How You Feel Still Matters
Start here. How you feel daily is just as important as clinical tests.
Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI)
This self-reported questionnaire is gold-standard. It asks about physical, emotional, and functional impacts of your dizziness. It’s scored out of 100. The higher the number, the greater the handicap.
> Action step: Take the DHI at the start of therapy, and every 4–6 weeks. Track the score.
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2. Balance Testing and Training
Balance is often impaired in vestibular conditions. Your physiotherapist will likely assess this using standardised tools.
Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) or Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (CTSIB)
These tests challenge your body’s ability to maintain posture under changing visual and surface conditions.
> Action step: Note your ability to balance on foam surfaces or with eyes closed. Improvement here usually means your brain is integrating sensory input better.
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3. Gait Speed: Small Numbers, Big Meaning
This might sound simple, but gait speed—how fast you walk over a set distance—is a strong indicator of functional recovery. It reflects your ability to move confidently without fear of falling or spinning.
> Action step: Time yourself walking 10 meters. Do it once a month. A speed increase is real, tangible progress.
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4. Dynamic Gait Index (DGI)
The DGI assesses your ability to walk under different conditions: changing speed, turning your head, stepping over obstacles. It’s great at highlighting fall risk and adaptability.
> Action step: Ask your physiotherapist to use this index periodically. It’s a useful benchmark to show when your walking is becoming more resilient.
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5. Functional Milestones
Progress isn’t only measured in tests. What you do in your life counts just as much.
Can you go grocery shopping without support?
Can you walk in a crowd without panic?
Are you less anxious when turning your head?
These milestones show how your vestibular system is adapting in real-world settings.
> Action step: Keep a weekly journal. Note what activities were easier or harder. Even small wins—like unloading the dishwasher without feeling off-balance—are worth celebrating.
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Set Realistic Expectations
Vestibular rehabilitation isn’t an overnight fix. Your brain needs time to adapt and rewire. Expect to feel off sometimes. Fluctuations are part of the healing.
But if your DHI score drops, your gait speed improves, and your balance testing shows gains—those are objective signs that your work is paying off.
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When to Reassess
Progress should be reviewed every 4–6 weeks. That gives enough time for neuroplastic changes while still keeping your therapist informed. If there’s a plateau, it may be time to tweak your program.
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Final Thoughts
Vestibular physiotherapy is one of the most powerful tools we have to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. But recovery is more than symptom relief—it’s about reclaiming your life.
Tracking your progress gives you power. Use tools like the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, dynamic gait index, and gait speed tests, along with your own lived experiences, to see how far you’ve come.
One step. One turn. One deep breath at a time.
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If you’re starting your journey or stuck in the middle of it, talk to a certified vestibular physiotherapist. And remember: what gets measured, gets managed—and improved.
