Regain Balance and Stability with Specialized Vestibular Rehabilitation
At Move Forward PT, we offer Vestibular Therapy, a specialized form of physical therapy designed to address dizziness, balance disorders, and vertigo. If you are experiencing issues related to your inner ear or vestibular system, our highly trained physical therapists can help you regain your stability, reduce symptoms, and improve your quality of life.
What Is Vestibular Therapy?
The vestibular system is responsible for helping your body maintain balance and spatial orientation. When the inner ear or brain experiences dysfunction, it can lead to symptoms like:
- Dizziness or vertigo (the sensation that the room is spinning)
- Imbalance or unsteadiness when walking or standing
- Frequent falls or fear of falling
- Nausea and motion sensitivity
- Headaches or visual disturbances
Vestibular Therapy involves exercises and techniques that help retrain the brain to compensate for inner ear dysfunction, reduce dizziness, and improve balance and mobility.
Common Conditions Treated with Vestibular Therapy
Our vestibular therapy program is effective for treating a wide range of vestibular and balance-related conditions, including:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A common cause of vertigo that occurs when small crystals in the inner ear become displaced.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear or vestibular nerve, often caused by viral infections, which can result in severe dizziness and imbalance.
- Meniere’s Disease: A chronic inner ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Concussion or Post-Concussion Syndrome: After head injuries, vestibular symptoms like dizziness or imbalance can persist.
- Age-related Balance Disorders: As we age, our balance can deteriorate, increasing the risk of falls and injury.
How Does Vestibular Therapy Work?
Vestibular therapy focuses on exercises and techniques that promote:
- Habituation: This involves movements or exercises designed to reduce dizziness by gradually exposing the brain to problematic stimuli, allowing it to adapt.
- Gaze Stabilization: Exercises that help improve control of eye movements and reduce blurred vision or dizziness while moving.
- Balance Training: Strengthening exercises to improve stability, posture, and coordination, reducing your risk of falls.
Your physical therapist will begin with a detailed assessment to understand your symptoms, medical history, and functional limitations. From there, they will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercises for balance, posture, eye movement control, and head movements, depending on your condition.
What to Expect from Vestibular Therapy
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Your therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your dizziness, balance issues, or vertigo.
- Customized Exercise Plan: Based on your specific diagnosis, a set of exercises will be tailored to improve your symptoms and restore your balance.
- Progressive Recovery: As you continue with therapy, your symptoms should gradually reduce, and your ability to move confidently and safely will improve.
- Home Exercise Program: In addition to in-clinic sessions, your therapist will likely provide you with exercises to practice at home to further support your recovery.
Benefits of Vestibular Therapy
- Reduce dizziness and vertigo symptoms
- Improve balance and coordination
- Prevent falls and related injuries
- Restore confidence in movement
- Enhance overall quality of life