INFRARED GOGGLES

The Power of Infrared Goggles in Diagnosing Your Dizziness

When you’re dizzy, the world is confusing. But your diagnosis shouldn’t be. Traditional bedside exams for vertigo rely on what the human eye can see. The problem? Your brain is too smart. In a lit room, your brain uses visual fixation (focusing on a target) to actively suppress the very clues we need to see. At our clinic, we don’t guess. We use diagnostic infrared video goggles to see what’s really happening. This technology is the gold standard for accurately diagnosing the root cause of vertigo and dizziness.

The Infrared Goggle Advantage

Infrared goggles are a simple, non-invasive tool that revolutionizes the assessment.

    • How They Work: You wear a lightweight set of goggles that put you in the dark. Inside, a high-resolution infrared camera films your eyes, streaming the image to a screen for your therapist to analyze.
    • Why It’s Critical: In the pitch-black environment, your brain can no longer “cheat” or suppress your reflexes. For the first time, we can clearly see the raw, unfiltered activity of your vestibular system.

Your eyes are a direct window to your inner ear. The specific way they move tells us what is wrong.

Benefits of Using Infrared Goggles

Using this technology allows us to move from an “educated guess” to a “precise diagnosis”. We can see the specific direction, speed, and type of your nystagmus.

This allows us to differentiate, with certainty, between:

  • BPPV: And not just if you have it, but which of the three inner ear canals is affected.
  • Vestibular Neuritis/Labyrinthitis: An inner ear infection.
  • Meniere’s Disease: During or after an attack.
  • Cervicogenic Dizziness: Dizziness from your neck.
  • Central Dizziness: A more serious issue originating from the brain (e.g., stroke, vestibular migraine).

When we know exactly which canal is affected by BPPV, we can perform the correct repositioning maneuver (like the Epley or Semont) on the first try. No more “trial and error.” This means you feel better, faster.

We can record the video of your eye movements. This allows us to establish an objective baseline, track your progress over time, and confirm when the condition is fully resolved. We can show you the proof that the treatment has worked.

The most important part of our job is to rule out serious conditions. Infrared goggles are far more sensitive at detecting central nystagmus, a key red flag for neurological issues. This allows for a more confident diagnosis and a prompt referral if a more serious condition is suspected.

What This Means For You

  • No More Guesswork: Get a definitive answer for your symptoms.
  • Faster Relief: Receive the right treatment from the very first visit.
  • Confidence in Your Care: Feel secure knowing your assessment is backed by the most advanced diagnostic technology available.

This commitment to diagnostic excellence is at the core of our practice.

Book an appointment for your infrared Goggle Assessment

Why Choose McKelvie Physiotherapy?

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Melissa Savage profile picture
Melissa Savage
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Veera was super helpful and knowledgeable in supporting my recovery post concussion and wrist fracture following a sports injury.
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Peter “PISTOL” de Sousa
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If you are looking for a great physiotherapist, this is the place to go. Zoe and her staff are very knowledgeable and very friendly.
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Darlene Remlinger profile picture
Darlene Remlinger
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If there were 10 stars, I would give them all to Zoe. Her deep understanding of vestibular issues, care and compassion are second to none. Vestibular challenges (esp BPPV) are acute and can be very scary. Zoe approaches treatment solutions with professionalism and a deep appreciation for the patient who is being affected. And thank you to Amanda who helped mobilize support so quickly.
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Janice Woodcock profile picture
Janice Woodcock
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I have had pretty severe vertigo for 12 years when I was finally referred to Zoe. I had been prescribed useless pills and of course nothing ever worked. My first visit to Zoe was scary at first. By the time I left, I was vertigo free and have been ever since! She is magic and I will be forever grateful for Zoe giving me my life back! Thank you Zoe and kind staff!
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Moby profile picture
Moby
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I’ve had a great experience here! Zoe is an amazing physiotherapist - she is kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about her patients. She really helped me with my pain, took the time to understand what was going on, and made me feel comfortable throughout the process. I can’t recommend her enough! I’ve also been seeing Lia for massage therapy, and she is wonderful. She really understands where the pain points are and tailors each session to what my body needs. I always leave feeling so much better. I’m very grateful for the care I’ve received from both of them and highly recommend them to anyone looking for physiotherapy or massage therapy.
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Jeff Rodrigues profile picture
Jeff Rodrigues
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I struggled with vertigo for years after a head injury and only learned recently that it could be BPPV and was treatable. In one virtual session that seemed so simple, Zoe Brown ended my struggles. She is so good at what she does and there needs to be more awareness about this condition and vestibular doctors in general. Thank you Zoe!!
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Nicola Major profile picture
Nicola Major
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Thank you Zoe! 2 months of living with BPPV and gone following a 15 minute appointment. I had never heard of Vestibular Physio prior to this experience, and I greatly appreciated your expertise, knowledge and kindness. I’ll be back to see you ASAP if I ever experience Vertigo again.
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Teryn Speirs profile picture
Teryn Speirs
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I had a wonderful experience working with Zoe for BPPV treatment. My symptoms were severe, and the appointment was not an easy one for me, but she was incredibly patient, compassionate, and supportive from start to finish. Her expertise was immediately apparent, and she helped me understand what was happening while making me feel comfortable and cared for throughout the process. I noticed a significant improvement in my symptoms afterward and am so grateful for her help. I would highly recommend her to anyone struggling with vertigo or BPPV. She combines exceptional clinical knowledge with genuine kindness and empathy.
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