Vestibular Dysfunction In Calabasas
Advanced Neuro Rehabilitation for Vestibular Dysfunction In Calabasas
Living with a vestibular disorder can make even the simplest daily tasks walking, turning your head, or standing up feel exhausting or frightening. The constant dizziness, disorientation, and nausea may lead to anxiety, isolation, or even a fear of movement itself.
At California Brain & Spine Center, we understand the life-altering effects of vestibular dysfunction. That’s why we offer comprehensive neurological care designed to not only manage your symptoms but to target and treat the root cause helping you feel steady, confident, and in control again.
When unsteady balance evolves into neck or facial pain from constant muscle guarding, our comprehensive Chronic Neurological Pain program addresses both the sensory mismatch and the secondary discomfort.
🧠 What Is Vestibular Dysfunction?
Your vestibular system, located in the inner ear and brain, controls your sense of balance, movement, and spatial orientation. When it’s disrupted whether from injury, illness, or neurological causes the messages between your brain and body become confused or incomplete.
This disruption leads to symptoms that are not only physically draining but often emotionally distressing.
Causes May Include:
Inner ear infections or vestibular neuritis
Concussions or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Meniere’s disease
Migraine-associated vertigo
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
Autoimmune or neuroinflammatory disorders
Aging-related degeneration of the balance system
Because balance problems often flare when blood pressure drops on standing, we screen every vertigo patient for the red-flag checklist in Autonomic Nervous System Disorders.
Can stress and anxiety cause dizziness?
Stress and anxiety can trigger or magnify dizziness. Hyperventilation, muscle tension, and autonomic shifts may make the room feel unsteady, and after inner-ear events they can prolong symptoms (e.g., PPPD). A focused exam separates vestibular from anxiety-driven causes. Many people improve with breathing skills, CBT, and gradual exposure. If symptoms persist, consider our Vestibular Rehab Services.
Common Symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction
Vestibular disorders are often misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Symptoms may be constant or triggered by motion, light, or sound and can vary in intensity.
Persistent dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo)
Unsteadiness or poor balance
Nausea, vomiting, or motion sensitivity
Blurred vision or visual instability
Difficulty focusing or reading
Fatigue, brain fog, or trouble concentrating
Anxiety or panic triggered by movement or crowded environments
Feeling “disconnected” or detached from surroundings
If these symptoms interfere with your life, you’re not alone and there is hope.
Because up to 60 % of vertigo cases hide an undiagnosed mild TBI, we often circle patients back to the Post-Concussion Syndrome & Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries page for a deeper neuro-evaluation.
Our Advanced Approach to Vestibular Recovery
At California Brain & Spine Center, we use a neurology-led, non-invasive model for diagnosing and treating vestibular dysfunction. We don’t simply manage symptoms we work to retrain your brain and restore natural movement and equilibrium.
Step 1: In-Depth Neurofunctional Evaluation
Our diagnostic process goes far beyond a routine exam. We use:
Video Nystagmography (VNG) to evaluate eye movements
Computerized balance testing (CAPS, posturography)
Visual-vestibular conflict analysis
Neurological and musculoskeletal assessment
Detailed medical history and symptom profiling
This allows us to identify the specific dysfunctions and tailor your recovery plan accordingly.
Step 2: Personalized, Multi-Sensory Therapy Program
Based on your diagnosis, we create a custom treatment plan using a combination of:
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT): To retrain balance and spatial orientation
Oculomotor and visual therapy: To correct visual-vestibular mismatches
Proprioceptive training: To improve body awareness and coordination
Gait and posture retraining for stability and movement confidence
Cognitive support strategies to enhance focus and reduce sensory overload
Optional adjuncts: HBOT, PEMF, LLLT, or neurostimulation to boost healing
All therapies are gentle, progressive, and adjusted based on your real-time progress.
Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring and Long-Term Support
Recovery is a process and we’re with you every step of the way:
Regular follow-up evaluations
Adjustments to your therapy plan as needed
Education and home strategies to prevent setbacks
Empowerment to rebuild confidence in daily activities
Balance Retraining: Simple Drills, Real-World Stability
This clip demonstrates core vestibular rehab—gaze stabilization, head-eye coordination, and graded balance challenges. You’ll learn how small, repeatable motions rebuild confidence in busy environments and reduce motion sensitivity. It’s ideal for people who feel unsteady in crowds, on escalators, or with quick head turns and want a safe, structured way to retrain stability.
FAQ
- What is vestibular dysfunction and how does it differ from occasional dizziness or vertigo?
Vestibular dysfunction refers to a chronic or recurring disorder of the inner-ear balance system, causing ongoing vertigo, unsteadiness, blurred vision with head movement, or spatial disorientation. Unlike a brief dizzy spell from dehydration or a single benign positional vertigo episode, vestibular dysfunction persists or returns frequently and often disrupts daily activities such as driving, reading, or simply walking down the grocery aisle. - Which symptoms should prompt me to seek a vestibular evaluation instead of waiting for dizziness to pass?
Schedule an assessment when dizziness lasts longer than a few days, worsens with quick head turns, co-exists with nausea or blurred vision, or leads to repeated falls. Other red flags include motion sensitivity, difficulty focusing on digital screens, and a sensation that the floor is tilting signs that point beyond a simple viral ear infection and may indicate vestibular nerve or brain-stem involvement. - Can anxiety cause vestibular dysfunction, or does inner-ear imbalance trigger anxiety and panic attacks?
It can work both ways. Chronic vestibular disorders send confusing signals to the brain, which may spark “fight-or-flight” responses and anxiety. Conversely, high stress and hyperventilation can temporarily alter blood flow to the inner ear, worsening dizziness. A comprehensive treatment plan often pairs vestibular rehabilitation with anxiety-reduction strategies such as breathing drills or cognitive-behavioral therapy. - What are the most effective therapies for long-term vestibular dysfunction?
Evidence-based treatments include vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), gaze-stabilization and habituation exercises, NeuroSensory Integration sessions, and for certain cases neuro-plasticity programs like our NeuroRevive track. Medications typically play a short-term role; long-term relief comes from retraining the brain to interpret accurate balance signals. - Can anxiety make the room feel like it’s spinning?Yes—anxiety most often causes lightheadedness or a “floaty” feeling, but it can also mimic or amplify true spinning (vertigo). Hyperventilation and autonomic arousal during anxiety can provoke dizziness, and after an inner-ear event some people develop persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) where anxiety helps perpetuate symptoms. Ongoing or severe spinning—especially with hearing changes, headache, weakness, or speech/vision issues—should be medically evaluated.
- Can you get dizzy from stress and anxiety?Absolutely. Stress and anxiety can trigger hyperventilation and autonomic shifts that lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and a sense of unsteadiness; breathing retraining and CBT often help. Still, repeated or worsening episodes warrant a check for vestibular or medical causes.
🙌 Real Patient Success
“Before treatment, I couldn’t walk across a room without help. I was afraid to go outside alone. After just a few weeks of therapy with Dr. Chizari’s team, I can move confidently again and feel more like myself than I have in years.”
“The dizziness and fog were affecting my work and social life. Now, I feel grounded again mentally and physically. Life is finally moving forward.”
When Should You Seek Help?
If you’re experiencing chronic dizziness, unexplained balance issues, or discomfort in visually stimulating environments (like busy stores or driving), it may be time to seek expert care.
Vestibular dysfunction is real, treatable, and more common than you think.
Early diagnosis and targeted therapy can greatly reduce symptoms and improve your ability to enjoy daily life.
Take the First Step Toward Stability
Don’t let vestibular dysfunction control your life any longer. With expert neuro-rehabilitation at California Brain & Spine Center, you can regain control, confidence, and clarity.
Schedule your comprehensive vestibular evaluation today and begin your journey toward balance, comfort, and independence.