Maria provides physiotherapy services specifically to people with ‘Vestibular Dysfunction” that is, people who experience dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, motion sensitivity or vision instability as a result of a problem within the Vestibular System.  Problems can occur in the peripheral vestibular system (the labyrinth of the inner ear and the nerves/pathways connecting it to the brain) or the central vestibular system (the brain and brainstem).  Maria possesses a sound knowledge in the diagnosis and management of Vestibular System conditions such as:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – all its forms- and can spot the mimickers which are not BPPV!

• Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis

• Meniere’s Disease

• Vestibular Migraine

• Central Nervous System pathology affecting the Vestibular System such as Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Acquired Brain Injury, Concussion

• Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)

• Age-related dizziness and imbalance

• Plus the rarer problems such as Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma), Vestibular Paroxysmia, Mal de Debarquement Syndrome, Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence, Perilymphatic Fistula, Ototoxicity, Bilateral Vestibular Loss, etc

 

Maria developed her special interest in ‘Vestibular Physiotherapy’ long ago, and she has undertaken numerous postgraduate courses, most notably the 2006 inaugural Australian competency-based course “Vestibular Rehabilitation” (Herdman, Cledaniel, Shepard, Tusa and colleagues), followed by the USA-based group’s “Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation” in 2017.  Maria is a regular attendee at the annual Neuro-Otology Society of Australia (NOTSA) conference.

Maria is involved in the teaching, practical up-skilling and supervision of other local health professionals in the assessment and management of Vestibular Conditions.  She also has extensive experience in Neurological Physiotherapy, Complex Rehabilitation and Persistent Pain, which complement her work.

Not all dizziness needs Vestibular Physiotherapy though and often more specialised medical investigation or treatment is indicated.  In these instances, Maria is able to advise and advocate for people to access the tests, health professionals, treatments and services that will help them the most.