When you’re suffering from a vestibular disorder, life can be unpredictable and plagued with anxiety of when your symptoms will disrupt your day. In many cases, though, physical therapy techniques can be used to treat the underlying causes or symptoms of common vestibular diseases, such as vertigo, Meniere’s disease, and migraine.
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular disorders are characterized by symptoms like vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance. These issues arise when there’s a problem in the inner ear, which is responsible for maintaining our sense of balance, or the neurological processing of the signals from the inner ear.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to alleviate these symptoms by retraining the brain to process signals from the vestibular system effectively. The principle treatments involve personalized exercises and therapeutic motions aimed at reducing dizziness, improving balance, and enhancing overall stability.
Conditions vestibular rehab can treat
Vestibular disorders require careful, personalized treatment to heal the underlying issues affecting balance, proprioception, and vision, including:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): A common cause of dizziness due to changes in head position.
- Vestibular neuritis: Inflammation of the inner ear, leading to vertigo and imbalance.
- Labyrinthitis: Similar to vestibular neuritis but also affects hearing.
- Migraine: Vestibular migraine attacks are one form of migraine that may be helped with vestibular therapy.
- Post-concussion syndrome: Symptoms that persist in the days and weeks following a concussion can be signs of underlying damage to the vestibular system or brain.
This is not an exhaustive list of the conditions our physical therapists can help with through vestibular therapy. If you’re experiencing dizziness, imbalance, or visual auras associated with migraine or vertigo, you don’t need to treat these symptoms as your new normal. Physical therapy or other interventions can help, especially when you seek treatment early and follow up consistently with treatment.
What to expect from your vestibular rehab treatment plan
As with any physical or neurological condition, the first step of any physical therapy treatment plan will be an extensive evaluation of your condition. One of our qualified vestibular therapists will help identify the root cause of your visual or balance issues and determine the best course of action. You’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors to create a tailored program that addresses your unique needs.
Once your treatment plan is established, you’ll attend regular therapy sessions, learning new movement therapies, exercises to strengthen your neuromuscular coordination, and preventative measures to reduce future symptoms. You’ll work at your own pace, with adjustments made as needed to ensure continuous improvement.
In-home treatment options when available
For some patients, attending therapy sessions may be difficult due to their symptoms. In such cases, in-home visits may be able to be arranged to provide the necessary support and care in a comfortable environment. Additionally, transportation services may be available for those unable to drive themselves to appointments, ensuring that as many people as possible can have access to the care they need.
Find relief from migraines and balance disorders near you
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy offers a path to reclaiming balance and stability in everyday life. By providing personalized, non-invasive treatment options, vestibular physical therapy empowers individuals to overcome the challenges posed by vestibular disorders. To learn more about how we might be able to help you get back to your normal lifestyle, please call a nearby office location or request an appointment with our team online today.
