We were delighted to welcome Emma Davies, specialist Neurological & Trauma Physiotherapist, to our NeuroHealth External Speaker Webinar this week!
With a background in both hospital and community settings, Emma shared her wealth of knowledge in vestibular rehabilitation, which she applies with Physio4You and their team spanning neurology, paediatrics, and trauma, offering specialist physiotherapy for complex cases.
In her talk, Emma gave us a deep dive into the vestibular system – how it affects balance, posture, vision, and spatial awareness – and why it’s so often overlooked in neurorehab. She shared how even subtle vestibular impairments can mimic neurological symptoms, leading to misdiagnosis or stalled rehab progress. With research indicating that around 80% of individuals with moderate to severe TBIs experience some form of vestibular impairment, this really is an essential topic in brain injury rehab.
We explored common conditions such as BPPV, vestibular neuritis, and vestibular migraine and the importance of early screening post-TBI, as well as the role of MDT collaboration and when to refer to vestibular specialists.
Emma walked us through the three pillars of vestibular rehab:
Adaptation – using head and eye movements to retrain the brain
Substitution – training alternative sensory strategies
Habituation – gradual exposure to symptom triggers to reduce sensitivity
With an emphasis on the importance of delivering person-centred, goal-focused therapy, particularly in complex cases such as vestibular migraine, where careful clinical judgment is essential. A compelling case study illustrated how early recognition and tailored intervention can significantly improve an individual’s quality of life and functional independence.
We also looked at new technological advancements with virtual reality headsets, which are helping both assess and treat vestibular conditions.
The overriding message from Emma’s talk was clear: vestibular issues are more common than we think, and recognising them early can make all the difference to the clients we serve.
A huge thank you, Emma, for sharing your passion for all things vestibular, as well as person-centred, evidence-based practice.
