At Nicola Harris & Associates, we’re dedicated to helping individuals regain balance and improve their quality of life through personalised vestibular therapy. But don’t just take our word for it – hear directly from our clients about their transformative experiences.
In the autumn of 2024 I found myself looking for a vestibular physiotherapist to help me recover from surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma. I am so glad that I found Nicola. Not only has her expertise allowed me to make a significant recovery, but her wise counsel helped me to better understand my recovery journey and to stay patient and committed in the face of such a significant challenge.
Although my surgery went well in terms of tumour removal, it required complete resection of my vestibulocochlear nerve resulting in permanent deafness in one ear and significantly impaired balance. In addition, I had a number of complications during my immediate recovery which meant I remained in hospital for almost 6 weeks. When I came to Nicola I was underweight, lacking in strength, somewhat unsettled by my one-sided deafness, and, most significantly, struggling with my vestibular system – my balance and my gaze stabilisation (which keeps vision stable during head movements) were both badly impaired.
Nicola evaluated my impairments, explained what was causing them (even though I had spent many years working as a research neuroscientist, I must say that I find that the vestibular system is not as easy to understand as some other sensory systems, but Nicola’s explanations were always clear and accessible), and gave me a programme of daily exercises to conduct at home. Over the following months, I visited Nicola regularly, and was delighted to see improvements. And as my recovery progressed, Nicola judiciously adjusted my exercise regime.
When I first visited Nicola in September 2024, I told her my target was to go skiing in January 2025. I’m not sure I really believed that was realistic, but I wanted to have something to work towards. In the end, I did go skiing, and that was without doubt the result of Nicola’s excellent physiotherapy, for which I am extremely grateful.
I had suffered from Vestibular Neuritis for months which resulted in loss of balance, several falls, being unable to drive and general lack of confidence. Within 2 weeks of my initial appointment with Nicola by using her exercise regime I no longer needed a walking stick and my self confidence began to return.
Unfortunately I was unable to attend my second appointment because of the arrival of Coronavirus, however the session by phone instead was extremely helpful. I was taught all the follow up exercises I needed until my next session, where ever it may be! Despite the current crisis as a result of my treatment my life seems so much more positive.
As a Marketing professional in the hospitality industry, my life ran at a thousand miles an hour. Until last April when my head and a sink got very well acquainted after I fainted in my bathroom. This resulted in a condition called Post-Concussion Syndrome, a damaged Vestibular System and, apparently, a fun ride in an ambulance, but I sadly don’t remember that.
You cannot imagine how life-changing a head injury can be until you experience it. Or how long, scary and frustrating the road to recovery is. It it one that demands a truly trusted, calm guide to help. Nicola Harris and Associates have expertly navigated me along my road to recovery providing me with knowledge, practical strategies and, above all, the positive reassurance that has enabled me to process and understand my situation.
My speech, my cognitive processing power, my vision, my memory, my executive thinking, control of my moods, and my awareness was downgraded to dodgy dial-up internet compared to my usual super-fast fibre-optic speed. When I first came to Nicola, I was freaked out. I didn’t know if I’d would get better. She instantly helped me understand that my recovery was going to be a balancing act between exercise, adaptations and the medication. In getting all elements of my condition, such as mirgaines, fatigue and balance, under control you are able to then to progress.
I remember leaving my initial consultation with my first list of balancing exercises thinking finally something practical to do after months of assessments and waiting. It gave my life an element of routine again that I desperately missed and, from there, every session acted as a benchmark giving me a solid foundation to build on.
If you are experiencing anything like the above, don’t fret. Nicola and her team provide practical strategies and advice that help improve and adapt your situation to enable recovery. Having a person on your recovery team that is able to answer your questions and provide guidance from a wealth of experience is invaluable. Every session I leave a little more confident and a little bit more like the old me.
Unfortunately I was unable to attend my second appointment because of the arrival of Coronavirus, however the session by phone instead was extremely helpful. I was taught all the follow up exercises I needed until my next session, where ever it may be! Despite the current crisis as a result of my treatment my life seems so much more positive.
I had my first session with Nicola today. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the session in person as my family is under self isolation. However, Nicola was able to carry out the session on FaceTime! Nicola was very instructive and incredible helpful and was able to prescribe a series of exercises for me to complete. The whole session ran smoothly and it was great to be able to do the session in the comfort on my pjs!
I had been suffering from a feeling of unsteadiness and pulling sensations along with loss of confidence in my legs ability to balance me for approx 18 months until i visited Nicola Harris. At my first appointment Nicola gave me a full assessment and explained to me in understandable terms what was going on in my nervous system, brain and balance center to cause these symptoms and why they had become chronic.
After then giving me instructions on exercises to undertake on a daily basis i went away and focused on completing them as requested. I very quickly started to see improvement over the first 4 weeks and then ongoing over several months. I am now about 90% improved after 6 months from my initial state which was causing me dreadful problems in my daily life. I cant recommend Nicola highly enough as she has given me back so much when i was starting to doubt i would ever be normal again.
I sustained a nasty head injury in December 2013 and was referred to Nicola Harris several weeks later. I had been feeling extremely unwell and was frustrated at being unable to work and unable to undertake many normal, everday activities. From the outset, Nicky was caring, personable and optimistic, particularly when I was feeling miserable and could not see any improvement in my condition. Nicky has had me follow a programme of vestibular exercises over the months, and under her professional guidance I am now well on the road to recovery and about to return to work.
I have been very impressed with the quality of care I have received from Nicky and cannot thank her enough for her patient, well-paced and extremely helpful advice. I am hoping that I won’t have to make too many more appointments with her now, but I do know that if I need her, she will make time for me. A truly wonderful health professional.
Three appointments and 5 weeks later my BPPV has gone completely. It is such a relief! Thank you so much.
Within just an hour she had diagnosed something that had been missed by other medical professionals for way too many years. Thanks to her, I am finally on the road to recovery. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Nicola to anyone suffering from dizziness or balance problems
