How Vestibular Rehabilitation can cure these 8 symptoms
What Is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is one of the three systems (including proprioception and vision) responsible for the balance of sensory inform
ation. The complex vestibular system is located in the inner ear and brain. It plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, posture, and coordination. Vestibular disorders can disrupt this system, leading to a range of symptoms such as:
- Dizziness or blurry vision with head movements
- Neck tightness, stiffness, and pain
- Imbalance or the need to hold onto objects when walking
- Headaches or fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Frequent falls
- Generalized “dizziness, wooziness, and foggy head” feelings
- Vertigo/spinning
Proper diagnosis and management are essential to alleviate the impact of vestibular disorders on an individual’s quality of life.
What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Damage to the vestibular system is often permanent due to the body’s limited ability to heal damaged vestibular organs. However, therapy can help to improve function and reduce the unpleasant effects of vestibular disorders.
Vestibular rehabilitation (VR), or vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), is an exercise-based program designed to reduce the symptoms caused by inner ear disorders. This therapy can help prevent the risk of falls, improve balance and stability, and reduce vertigo symptoms.
As you progress with VR, the brain substitutes other visual senses and somatosensory regulation to compensate for the damaged vestibular system. The health of particular parts of the nervous system—such as the brainstem, cerebellum, and visual or somatosensory sensations—is crucial in determining the possible extent of recovery. Additionally, clinical evidence suggests that vestibular rehabilitation combined with medication can be more effective in improving symptoms and function.
Who Benefits From Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is an effective treatment option for patients experiencing dizziness and balance disorders or those diagnosed with:
- Vertigo
- Meniere’s disease
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Neck-related dizziness
- And migraines
Other candidates are patients who have had a stroke, brain injury, or a history of falling.
What to Expect From Your Physical Therapy Visit
During your appointment at Moreau Physical Therapy, a physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and review your medical history. Your assessment will include all or part of the following areas:
- Balance
- Leg strength and flexibility
- Walking patterns
- Visual stability and mobility
- Neck mobility
- Neck and arm strength
- Positional testing, including an inner ear exam
A plan of care is developed based on our therapist’s findings.
The goal of your treatment plan is to improve any deficits identified. This is achieved by customizing exercises to address each person’s specific problems. Therefore, before an exercise program can be designed, a comprehensive clinical examination is needed to identify issues related to the vestibular disorder. Depending on the vestibular-related problems identified, three principal methods of exercise can be prescribed:
- Habituation
- Gaze Stabilization
- Balance Training
These exercises will improve your ability to function in activities of everyday living, reduce your risk of falling, and, ultimately, improve your quality of life.
Begin Your Road to Recovery at Moreau Physical Therapy
Moreau Physical Therapy offers a variety of treatment modalities to help patients take back control of their day-to-day lives following damage to the vestibular system. If you have suffered injuries, illnesses, infections, or disorders that have affected your movement and function, we are dedicated to helping develop a custom treatment plan to fit your needs. Our services include:
To speak with one of our specialists or to schedule an appointment, reach out to us today at 85-LIVE-MORE (6673). Let us help you find the treatment you need to recover.