HELPING YOU MOVE, FUNCTION AND FEEL BETTER
Welcome to Kim Hawkins Vestibular. Our Willoughby clinic focuses on helping clients with dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues get back to doing what they love
The Sydney-based clinic utilises objective clinical vestibular testing (including infrared video goggles) to accurately assess, diagnose and treat inner ear balance dysfunction and other causes of dizziness and imbalance.
Each client is thoroughly assessed and then treated on a one-to-one basis with evidence-based treatment techniques to help reduce dizziness, improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.
Techniques involve hands-on therapies, including particle repositioning manoeuvres (such as the Epley manoeuvre) and home-based exercise programmes to promote self-management.
Our vestibular rehabilitation programmes are individually tailored for each client to assist with the management of:
BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO (BPPV)
VESTIBULAR MIGRAINE
VESTIBULAR NEURITIS / NEURONITIS
LABYRINTHITIS
MENIERE’S DISEASE
CERVICOGENIC DIZZINESS / NECK-RELATED DIZZINESS
ACOUSTIC NEUROMA / VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA
BILATERAL VESTIBULAR LOSS
PERSISTENT POSTURAL PERCEPTUAL DIZZINESS (PPPD / 3PD)
CONCUSSION
STROKE AND TRANSIENT ISCHAEMIC ATTACK (TIA)
FALLS PREVENTION
BALANCE PROGRAMMES
PREHAB BEFORE INNER EAR SURGERY
Many Australians will experience dizziness or balance issues in their lifetime. A thorough assessment with a vestibular physiotherapist is the first step to better symptom management and a research-backed treatment plan
over 20 years experience
Kim is an experienced vestibular physiotherapist with a passion for helping people with dizziness, vertigo and balance issues to move, feel and function better. Even after 20 years of clinical work in the public and private health sectors, she’s still genuinely excited by the ‘Aha!’ moment clients get when they understand where their symptoms are coming from, which means they can then get on with treating and managing the source of the issue. A client-centred approach and evidence-based interventions are the core of Kim’s therapy style.
Kim has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) and a Master of Philosophy (Science) from the University of Sydney. She’s an APA Titled Research Physiotherapist and is a regular university guest lecturer. Kim has published several peer-reviewed journal papers and presented at multiple national and international conferences.
View Kim's Published Work
Kim’s Published Work:
Hawkins, K.E., Paul, S.S., Chiarovano, E., and Curthoys, I.S., 2021. Using virtual reality to assess vestibulo-visual interaction in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to healthy controls. Experimental Brain Research, (Preprint).
Hawkins, K.E., Chiarovano, E., Paul, S.S., Burgess, A.M., MacDougall, H.G. and Curthoys, I.S., 2021. Vestibular semicircular canal function as detected by video head impulse test (vHIT) is essentially unchanged in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to healthy controls. Journal of Vestibular Research, (Preprint), pp.1-9.
https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vestibular-research/ves201626
Hawkins, K.E., Rey-Martinez, J., Chiarovano, E., Paul, S.S., Valldeperes, A., MacDougall, H.G. and Curthoys, I.S., 2021. Suppression head impulse test paradigm (SHIMP) characteristics in people with Parkinson’s disease compared to healthy controls. Experimental Brain Research, pp.1-10.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-021-06107-7
Hawkins, K.E., Chiarovano, E., Paul, S.S., MacDougall, H.G. and Curthoys, I.S., 2021. Static and dynamic otolith reflex function in people with Parkinson’s disease. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 278(6), pp.2057-2065.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00405-020-06446-1
Jones G, Hawkins K, Mullin R, Nepusz T, Naughton DP, Sheeran P, Petróczi A. Understanding how adherence goals promote adherence behaviours: a repeated measure observational study with HIV seropositive patients. BMC Public Health. 2012 Aug 1;12:587. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-587. PMID: 22853824; PMCID: PMC3490813.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22853824/
Petróczi A, Hawkins K, Jones G, Naughton DP. HIV Patient Characteristics that Affect Adherence to Exercise Programmes: An Observational Study. Open AIDS J. 2010 Jun 25;4:148-55. doi: 10.2174/1874613601004010148. PMID: 20871752; PMCID: PMC2944991.
Kim is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and it’s Neurology group, as well as a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s vestibular special interest group.
Book an appointment
Can’t find a time that suits your schedule? Call (02) 9958 7935 or fill out the enquiry form below.
Home visits and Telehealth appointments are available by request.
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Parking
Free 2-hour council parking available at 160 Mowbray Road
Check transport NSW journey planner for public transport options
156 Mowbray Road
Willoughby NSW 2068
Ph: (02) 9958 7935
Fax: (02) 9967 5616
admin@khbalancetherapy.com.au