Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy aimed at alleviating symptoms related to vestibular disorders, which affect the inner ear and balance system. These disorders can lead to dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and other issues that significantly impact daily life. By understanding and engaging in vestibular therapy, you can take proactive steps towards regaining your stability and improving your overall quality of life.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the sensation of feeling dizzy or off balance, even when not moving. It is extremely common in the US and most common in people over 65.
Vertigo itself is not a diagnosis but rather a symptom caused by an underlying medical issue or environmental factor. If you experience persistent episodes of vertigo, it is crucial to seek medical attention, as the root cause may require treatment.
Vestibular Problems
Vertigo is often caused by imbalances or dysfunction in the vestibular system. The vestibular system is crucial to daily activities that require bodily motion and/or balance. Activities as simple as turning your head require your vestibular system to be in working order. That said, it’s easy to see how problems with your vestibular system can cause significant issues with walking, balance, stability, etc.
There is a variety of issues that can cause vestibular imbalance, including:
- Vestibular migraines may not cause headaches but can lead to nausea, motion sensitivity, disorientation, and sensitivity to sound.
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) accounts for 80% of peripheral vertigo cases and causes brief vertigo episodes triggered by head position changes.
- Vestibular neuritis, typically caused by a viral infection in the inner ear, leads to inflammation that impairs balance and commonly results in vertigo.
- Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder believed to be caused by fluid buildup and changing pressure. It can result in vertigo episodes, balance issues, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
How a PT Can Help with Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular therapy is the most common method that physical therapists use to help patients suffering from vertigo and other vestibular symptoms. A physical therapist will first assess the underlying cause of your vertigo by performing a physical examination and reviewing your medical history.
Next, physical therapists will work to create a rehabilitation plan based on sensory and hearing tests. This will help the therapist determine whether your vertigo is a central nervous system issue, peripheral vertigo, or another type of affectation.
Depending on the type of vertigo, vestibular therapy can take many forms. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Balance Training: A form of vestibular therapy designed to help patients increase their stability. It may not directly reduce symptoms of vertigo, but it significantly helps patients deal with them by strengthening their body’s reaction to dizziness. Balance training is beneficial for preventing falls in senior age groups.
- Gaze Stabilization: Gaze stabilization helps treat vertigo by training the brain to use vestibular information more effectively. Therapists assign specific head and eye movements to promote vestibular health and improve the patient’s stability.
- Canalith Repositioning Treatment (CRT): This treatment is designed for patients experiencing vertigo from BPPV. BPPV causes microscopic inner ear crystals to be displaced, creating vertigo symptoms in those patients. In CRT, therapists manually adjust the head and neck to realign the inner ear crystals and reduce or eliminate vertigo. The therapist will also give patients at-home exercises, which may help them relieve or even eliminate their vertigo when correctly and consistently performed.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re experiencing vertigo, it’s important to address it promptly. Use our interactive map tool to find a physical therapist near you who is dedicated to helping you regain balance and improve your quality of life. Schedule an appointment today to take the first step towards overcoming vertigo and enhancing your overall well-being.