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Vestibular & Balance · In person in Irvine · Telehealth across California

Your dizziness has a cause. Let's find it.

Vestibular rehabilitation isn't a sideline here — it's a core focus of this practice. You'll work one-on-one with Dr. Patel or Dr. Palkhiwala, on a plan built for your specific diagnosis.

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Conditions we treat

Dizziness isn't one condition — it's many

Each of these is treated differently. These are the conditions we work with every week:

  • BPPV

    Brief spinning when you roll over or look up. Very treatable.

  • Vestibular neuritis & labyrinthitis

    Imbalance that lingers after a sudden vertigo episode.

  • Vestibular migraine

    Episodes of dizziness and motion sensitivity, with or without headache.

  • PPPD (chronic subjective dizziness)

    Constant rocking or swaying that worsens in busy places.

  • Motion sensitivity

    Car rides, scrolling, and crowded stores set you off.

  • Cervicogenic dizziness

    Dizziness driven by the neck, often with stiffness or headaches.

  • Post-concussion dizziness

    Dizziness that started with a head injury and never left.

  • Balance & daily function

    Unsteadiness on stairs, in the dark, or on uneven ground.

We also treat POTS-related dizziness and exercise intolerance — ask us about it.

Not sure what you have? You don't need a diagnosis to start — call us.

What does a vestibular therapist do?

Your sense of balance comes from three sources working together: your inner ear, your eyes, and your body's position sense — all coordinated by your brain. When one goes out of tune, you get dizziness, vertigo, or that constant "off" feeling. A vestibular therapist is a physical therapist with advanced training in testing this system precisely: which part is involved, and how it's misfiring.

Then we retrain it with specific, progressive exercises — this is a real, established discipline, not generic PT with a different name. If you've been told your tests are normal, or to just live with it, that often means the right system hasn't been tested yet. As dizziness specialists here in Irvine, that testing is where we start.

The method

What treatment actually looks like

Canalith repositioning

A short series of guided head positions that move loose inner-ear crystals back where they belong — the established, first-line BPPV treatment.

Gaze retraining

Exercises that re-teach your eyes to stay steady while your head moves — so screens, driving, and busy rooms stop being triggers.

Balance retraining

Progressive, carefully graded challenges to your steadiness — done safely, one-on-one — that rebuild your footing on stairs, curbs, and uneven ground.

Habituation

Gradual, controlled exposure to the exact movements that set you off, so your brain stops overreacting to them. Measured, never overwhelming.

Visit one

Your first visit, step by step

  1. We listen first

    The whole history: when it started, what sets it off, what you've tried, and who you've already seen.

  2. Precise testing

    We assess eye movements, positional responses, balance, and the neck to pinpoint which part of the system is misfiring.

  3. A plain-English explanation

    You'll finally hear what's causing your dizziness, and why — explained in words, not test results.

  4. Treatment, same day

    Your plan usually starts that visit, including repositioning if BPPV is the cause. You leave with clear next steps.

Care in Irvine — or anywhere in California

In person, by video, or a mix of the two — either way, you're working with the same two doctors.

In person — Irvine

Full testing and hands-on treatment at our clinic — the right call for BPPV repositioning, neck work, and balance testing.

Telehealth — all of California

Chronic dizziness treatment by video, anywhere in California: guided assessment, exercise progression, and coaching between visits — live, with your doctor.

Hybrid

Many patients start in person, then progress by video — or the reverse. We'll recommend the mix that fits your case.

Not sure telehealth fits your case? That's a one-question phone call — call us.

Dr. Nirav Patel, Doctor of Physical Therapy, at Meridian Neuro Rehab Dr. Sapan Palkhiwala, Doctor of Physical Therapy, at Meridian Neuro Rehab

Dr. Patel & Dr. Palkhiwala

Concussion and vestibular recovery is our focus — you'll work with one of us, one-on-one, at every visit.

About the doctors →

Balance & daily function

Steady on your feet

Balance problems creep in quietly — a hand on the wall, skipping the stairs, giving up evening walks. Our balance therapy for older adults across Orange County treats the causes of unsteadiness, not just the fear of falling, one-on-one at every visit.

  • Balance and strength work matched to your starting point
  • Practical strategies for stairs, curbs, and nighttime
  • Confidence to keep doing what you love

Calling for a parent? We're glad to talk with you first and bring them into the conversation when they're ready.

Cash-pay, and worth it

  • A full hour, one-on-one with your doctor
  • One visit a week — not two or three
  • Superbill provided for possible insurance reimbursement
  • HSA and FSA accepted
  • No referral needed to start in California

Payment, answered in full →

Not ready to call? Ask us a question.

We read every message and we'll get back to you.

Dizziness is treatable. Let's talk about yours.

Call to schedule your evaluation. No referral needed in California — and if we're not the right fit, we'll say so.

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