Concussion & Vertigo Management
At Abbotsford Sports & Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, our practitioners have undergone specialized training in the assessment and treatment of concussions and vestibular disorders.
Concussion Therapy
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily disrupts how the brain works. It is caused by the brain moving around within the skull. Concussions are sustained from an injury to the head due to a fall, a car accident, sports injury, or an area to any part of the body that transmits forces to the head.
Common Concussion Symptoms:
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Headache
- Nausea/ vomiting
- Ringing of the ears
- Trouble focusing
- Confusion
- Feeling like in a “fog”
- Fatigue
- Emotional / behavioral changes
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Feeling depressed
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of consciousness (however many people do not lose consciousness)
Concussion treatment is personalized based on individual symptoms and may include: education on managing symptoms, visual exercises, craniosacral treatment, hands on therapy, balance exercises, and guidance for a safe return to daily activities including work, school and sport.
Vestibular / Vertigo Therapy
Vestibular therapy is designed to alleviate symptoms such as dizziness, spinning sensations, and balance issues stemming from inner ear disorders. A common form of vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which can be effectively treated by physiotherapists and chiropractors. This therapy focuses on exercises and techniques to improve balance and reduce vertigo symptoms.
Common BPPV Symptoms
- Dizziness / spinning – worse when moving your head
- Decreased balance or unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Nystagmus (rapid eye movement)
BPPV Specialized Assessments
- Dix- Hall Pike Maneuver
- Supine Head Roll Maneuver
- Visual assessment to check for nystagmus (rapid eye movement)
BPPV Specialized Treatments
- Epley Maneuver
- Semi Somersault treatment
- Vertigo specific home exercises
- Repositioning maneuvers
- Patient education
- Manual therapy & manipulation
- Soft tissue release therapy
Our Comprehensive Concussion & Vertigo Therapy Services

Vertigo specific assessment & treatment
Concussion specific assessment & treatment
Visual assessment & exercises
Hands-on Manual Therapy Techniques

Postural & Gait Assessment
Joint Mobilizations & Manipulations

Patient Education
Dry Needling (IMS)
Home Exercise Programs & Therapeutic Exercise
Balance Training
Frequently Asked Questions
At Abbotsford Sports & Orthopaedic Physiotherapy we are approved by WorkSafe BC to treat concussions. We can also assess and treat concussions sustained in motor vehicle accidents and bill to ICBC.
BPPV is caused by tiny calcium carbonate crystals becoming loose in the inner ear called the vestibular labyrinth. This affects the way your brain is able to process where your head is in space leading to a feeling of unsteadiness or spinning. In many cases there is no known cause of BPPV. BPPV may accompany an injury to the head or a concussion.