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HOW CAN VESTIBULAR THERAPY HELP YOU?

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How can Vestibular Therapy help you?

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Your vestibular system or “balance system” consists of the parts of your inner ear and brain that help control balance and eye movements and tell you where you are in space. It is a very important system that lives inside of your inner ear. Your hearing system is also located inside of your inner ear.

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If your vestibular system is damaged, or if a disorder has occurred, you can experience:

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  • Vertigo

  • Dizziness

  • Imbalance/unsteadiness

  • Visual disturbances: feeling as if the objects around you are moving when they are not

  • Vision problems like having trouble focusing or double vision

  • Feeling like you are moving when you are not/rocking sensation

  • Walking on a trampoline

  • Disequilibrium with head movements

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Some of these symptoms may come and go and others may feel constant.

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You may also experience symptoms of:

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  • Nausea

  • Altered cognitive function; difficulty concentrating

  • Fatigue

  • Headaches/head pressure

  • Neck pain/stiffness

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Digestive issues

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Having a vestibular condition can be life altering and scary. This can cause anxiety and depression. Many simple, day-to-day activities are no longer easy when you have a vestibular disorder. To avoid the symptoms, some people develop a more sedentary lifestyle and avoid certain activities.

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Certain situations may be more challenging and lead to increase of symptoms:

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  • Walking in crowds

  • Going grocery shopping (or to IKEA or Costco)

  • Riding in a car

  • Going out to eat in a restaurant

  • Sitting at a computer all day

  • Bright lights or sounds become irritating

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You do not have to live with these symptoms. There is help!

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What is Vestibular Therapy/Rehabilitation?

 

Evidence based programs are designed to help the brain compensate by utilizing other systems such as your neck/body, eyes and incorporate lifestyle modifications to allow your vestibular system to strengthen and heal. A Vestibular Therapist specializes in this treatment.

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Physical Therapists that specialize in Vestibular Rehabilitation take extensive courses beyond the general training in graduate school. Vestibular Physical Therapists work specifically with these types of cases, so they understand how best to manage an inner ear disorder. It is similar to a surgeon, you would want someone who specializes in knee surgery if you had a knee injury, not a hand specialist.

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The purpose of the Vestibular Rehabilitation is to help with natural neurological retraining for your brain. Your brain can develop inappropriate neurological patterns that send confusing messages to your brain. This “error signal” is what causes your symptoms of “dizziness”. The longer the error signal has been going on, the more time and appropriate measures need to be instilled to see results.

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Having a specialized program and dedicating lifestyle changes to rewire your brain to have efficient messages go to your brain will help decrease and eventually resolve your symptoms. This can take time, but when you are on the correct path, you will see improvements. This may take a few days, weeks and in some cases months. 

 

Vestibular Therapy can be provided in the comfort of your own home by our professionals at Vestibular Therapy Specialists. All of our providers are certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation (Therapy) and can help you regain control of your balance, help your “dizziness” and other symptoms to subside. This will have you feeling better and get your life back.

 

What happens during a typical session?

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Your therapist will evaluate your symptoms, limitations, and history of the problem. Using this information, your therapist will develop a treatment plan to target your specific issues.

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Head, body, and eye exercises may be implemented, along with a home-based program for lifestyle modifications to improve the quality of nutrition, rest and reducing “stressors” that may be exacerbating to your condition.

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Who can be helped with Vestibular Therapy?

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People who are successfully helped with Vestibular Therapy may have one of these common diagnoses:

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If you do not know if you have these conditions, our providers can evaluate you and help you better understand your condition. If other medical intervention is necessary, we will help find resources for you.

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Neurologists (brain specialists); otolaryngologists (ear, nose & throat); audiologists (hearing specialists); cardiologists (heart specialists) may be involved in your process of understanding the cause of “dizziness” as there can be many factors contributing to “dizziness”.

 

Dizziness is a symptom, not a health condition. How long your symptoms last and health history is important to ensure all factors are being addressed.

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How can you arrange Vestibular Therapy in your home?

 

Vestibular Therapy Specialists are available in the comfort of your own home using secure video conferencing.

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Sometimes it is more appropriate to be evaluated in a clinical setting to best fit your needs and ensure you are being managed properly. We are able to communicate with other medical providers to ensure your journey gets you to an accurate diagnosis and proper management. We can help you find resources.

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If you have life threatening condition it is best to go to an Emergency Room or discuss with your health care provider as soon as possible.

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