Finding Relief from Vestibular Migraine:

An Audiologist’s Functional Medicine Approach to Healing

At Equilibrium Audiology, we see many patients who have been living with chronic dizziness, motion sensitivity, brain fog, or visual discomfort, and are told “everything looks normal.” For many, the diagnosis they’ve been missing is vestibular migraine—a complex neurological condition that affects both balance and perception.

As audiologists trained in vestibular diagnostics and functional medicine, we take a unique, whole-person approach to managing vestibular migraine—one that combines advanced vestibular rehab, root-cause nutrition, virtual reality therapy, and nervous system regulation.

What Is Vestibular Migraine?

Vestibular migraine is a neurological condition that can cause:

• Spontaneous or triggered dizziness
• Visual motion sensitivity
• Head pressure, brain fog, or light-headedness
• Discomfort in visually busy environments
• Balance issues or unsteadiness
• Migraine symptoms with or without headache

It often overlaps with other vestibular diagnoses like PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness) or MdDS (Mal de Débarquement Syndrome)—making diagnosis and treatment complex.

Inspired by Victory Over Vestibular Migraine

The book Victory Over Vestibular Migraine by Alicia Wolf has been a valuable resource for many of our patients. It offers a first-hand account of healing through diet, self-advocacy, and lifestyle changes. At Equilibrium Audiology, we take this further by integrating clinical tools, diagnostics, and coaching to tailor each patient’s care plan.

Our Clinical Approach: Audiology Meets Functional Medicine

Here’s how we support patients with vestibular migraine:

1. Comprehensive Vestibular Testing

We start with in-depth diagnostics to rule out inner ear dysfunction and confirm migraine-related pathways:

• VNG (videonystagmography)
• vHIT (video head impulse test)
• VEMP (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials)
• Saccadometry
• Visual motion sensitivity screening
• Gait and balance assessments

This helps identify central vs peripheral dysfunction, sensory mismatch, and triggers for motion intolerance.

2. Elimination Diet for Migraine Triggers

Many patients are unaware that foods and gut inflammation can fuel migraine cycles.

Using a migraine elimination protocol, we guide patients through:

• Removing common migraine triggers: aged cheese, chocolate, alcohol, gluten, MSG, caffeine, and histamine-rich foods
• Tracking symptoms with a food/migraine journal
• Gradual reintroduction to identify personalized triggers

This process supports gut-brain-immune regulation and often leads to reductions in frequency and severity of episodes.

3. Nervous System Regulation

Vestibular migraine is often linked to dysautonomia, vagus nerve dysregulation, or trauma patterns. We integrate:

• Mindfulness and somatic tracking
• Breathwork and vagal toning
• SSP (Safe & Sound Protocol) or binaural beats
• Nervous system education and pacing strategies

These tools calm the brain’s overreactive state and help decrease sensory hypersensitivity.

4. Vestibular Rehabilitation Using Virtual Reality

For patients with visual motion sensitivity or persistent imbalance, we use Virtualis VR™, a powerful rehab tool that:

• Simulates real-life visual triggers in a controlled way
• Gradually exposes the brain to motion cues for habituation
• Improves visual-vestibular integration and balance
• Includes dual-tasking and head-motion coordination

This makes therapy more engaging, measurable, and brain-targeted than traditional exercises alone.

5. Supplements That Support Migraine & Vestibular Function

Functional medicine allows us to support the body from the inside out. Depending on the individual, we may recommend:

• Magnesium glycinate or threonate – calms neurons and supports vestibular function
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – mitochondrial support
• CoQ10 – energy metabolism in the brain
• Ginger or turmeric – anti-inflammatory effects
• Omega-3s – supports brain and nerve repair
• Probiotics or gut repair nutrients – if digestive triggers are present

Supplements are never “one size fits all”—they’re personalized based on symptom drivers and lab testing when available.

6. Ongoing Coaching & Lifestyle Support

As behavior change experts, we also provide:

• Functional medicine health coaching
• Sleep and circadian rhythm optimization
• Screen time and sensory hygiene strategies
• Movement modifications during flare-ups
• Emotional resilience tools for patients and families

Our goal is to empower each patient with the tools to self-regulate, rebuild trust in their body, and return to activities they enjoy.

Ready to Reclaim Your Balance?

If you’re navigating vestibular migraine, it’s time for an integrated, evidence-based, and compassionate approach.

 Book a vestibular migraine consultation today with our audiology and coaching team. Together, we’ll design a care plan that works for your unique brain and body.

Equilibrium Audiology — Where Neuroscience Meets Root-Cause Care