Understanding Balance Problems in Ottawa: Vertigo, Dizziness, Concussions, and Musculoskeletal Health

Understanding Balance Problems in Ottawa: Vertigo, Dizziness, Concussions, and Musculoskeletal Health

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Valérie Robichaud, Chiropractor, CURAVITA Glebe

Most of us do not think much about balance…until something feels off. You stand up and feel dizzy. You turn your head and the room spins. You feel unsteady walking through the grocery store. You notice headaches, neck tension, or difficulty focusing after a concussion.

Balance is something your body manages automatically every second of the day. When that system is disrupted, it can affect confidence, mobility, exercise, work, driving, and daily life.

At CURAVITA Health Group, our team of chiropractors, physiotherapists, and registered massage therapists regularly work with patients in Ottawa experiencing dizziness, vertigo, post-concussion symptoms, neck tension, and balance concerns.

Understanding where these symptoms come from is often the first step toward recovery.

What Helps Us Maintain Balance?

Balance is much more complex than most people realize.

Your brain constantly gathers information from several systems at once:

• The vestibular system (inner ear)
• Your vision
• Muscles and joints
• Your nervous system and brain

These systems work together to help your body understand:

• Where you are in space
• How your head is moving
• Whether you are upright or falling
• How to react quickly to movement

If one system is not working properly, the body may struggle to compensate.

This can lead to:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo (spinning sensations)
• Unsteadiness
• Motion sensitivity
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Neck tension
• Increased risk of falls

What Can Cause Balance Problems?

There are many possible causes of balance issues.

Some common contributors include:

Vestibular (Inner Ear) Conditions

The vestibular system inside the inner ear plays a major role in detecting movement and position changes.

Conditions affecting this system may cause:

• Vertigo
• Spinning sensations
• Motion sensitivity
• Nausea
• Difficulty walking steadily

Concussions and Head Injuries

After a concussion, the communication between the brain, eyes, vestibular system, and body can become disrupted.

Patients may experience:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Visual strain
• Difficulty focusing
• Balance problems
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to movement or busy environments

Vision Changes

Your eyes help your brain understand your surroundings and movement.

Changes in vision, difficulty tracking movement, or visual strain may contribute to dizziness or imbalance.

Neck and Musculoskeletal Issues

The muscles and joints in the neck provide important feedback to the brain about head position and movement.

Tension, stiffness, poor posture, or injury involving the neck may contribute to symptoms in some patients.

Medications and Medical Conditions

Certain medications may cause dizziness, fatigue, or balance changes as side effects.

Blood pressure medications, sedatives, sleep medications, and some anxiety medications are just a few examples.

Conditions such as low blood pressure, dehydration, neurological conditions, infections, or cardiovascular issues may also play a role.

When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Attention?

Not all dizziness or balance concerns are musculoskeletal in nature.

Seek urgent medical attention immediately if dizziness or balance changes are associated with:

• Sudden weakness or numbness
• Facial drooping
• Difficulty speaking
• Chest pain
• Severe sudden headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Sudden vision loss
• Difficulty breathing
• New confusion
• Significant worsening neurological symptoms

These symptoms may indicate a more serious medical condition requiring emergency assessment.

It is also important to speak with your family physician or pharmacist if:

• Symptoms began after starting a new medication
• You are experiencing repeated falls
• Symptoms are worsening
• Dizziness is persistent or unexplained
• You are unsure whether medications could be contributing

Where Do Chiropractic Care, Physiotherapy, and Massage Therapy Fit In?

Treatment depends on the cause of the symptoms.

At CURAVITA Health Group, our collaborative team approach allows patients to receive care tailored to their specific needs.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists may help address:

• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Post-concussion rehabilitation
• Balance retraining
• Strengthening exercises
• Mobility and coordination work

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of therapy designed to help the brain and body adapt and recover from certain balance disorders.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors may help address musculoskeletal contributors involving:

• Neck mobility
• Joint function
• Posture
• Muscle tension
• Movement patterns

In some patients, improving neck mobility and reducing muscular tension may help support overall movement and function.

Registered Massage Therapy

Massage therapy may help reduce:

• Muscle tension
• Neck and shoulder tightness
• Stress-related muscle guarding
• Headache-related tension

Many patients experiencing dizziness or post-concussion symptoms also develop significant muscle tension from guarding and altered movement patterns.

Supporting Your Balance and Recovery

Depending on the cause, strategies that may help support balance include:

• Staying physically active safely
• Vestibular exercises
• Improving posture
• Strength and mobility training
• Managing stress and tension
• Proper hydration
• Reviewing medications with healthcare providers
• Gradual return to activity after concussion

The most important thing is understanding why symptoms are occurring.

Book an Assessment

If you are experiencing dizziness, balance problems, vertigo, neck tension, or post-concussion symptoms, the team at CURAVITA Health Group is here to help.

Our chiropractors, physiotherapists, and registered massage therapists work collaboratively to help patients in Ottawa, the Glebe, and ByWard Market better understand their symptoms and create individualized recovery plans.