What is a Vestibular Disorder?
The vestibular, or balance, system in the body includes parts of the inner ear and nervous system that control equilibrium, balance, and orientation. Vestibular disorders disrupt this system as a result of many conditions, including Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), migraines, vestibular neuritis, medications toxic to the ear, or a head injury or concussion.
What is Vestibular Therapy?
Vestibular therapy is an important part of the treatment of vestibular disorders. An extensive evaluation is performed by a licensed physical therapist specifically trained in the treatment of vestibular disorders to determine the best plan of care.
Each case is treated on an individual basis, taking into account a person’s medical condition, lifestyle, and individual needs. Therapy also involves an exercise-based rehabilitation program designed to improve:
- Balance
- Gait
- Eye-head coordination
- Postural control
- Fitness level while reducing vertigo
Who can benefit from Vestibular Therapy?
Individuals who frequently have complaints of dizziness or imbalance and have had a vestibular disorder diagnosis such as:
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
- Dysequilibrium
- Peripheral Vertigo
- Pharmacologic Ototoxicity
- Stable Meniere’s Disease
- Vestibular Neuronitis/Labrynthitis
Other balance-related diagnoses:
Ataxia, Deconditioning, Disuse Atrophy, Stroke, Head Injury/Concussion, and/or Fall Risk
A person may be a candidate for therapy if they experience an increase in dizziness or vertigo when:
- Looking up
- Turning over in bed
- Walking down the aisle of a store
- Making quick movements of the head
- Bending over
- Walking on uneven ground