Vestibular Therapy
Helping You Regain Your Sense of Balance and Stability
Vertigo, imbalance and dizziness can be caused by an inner ear disorder, also known as vestibular disorder. When you have an inner ear disorder, your vestibular system does not function properly or efficiently. The vestibular system is a system of canals that sit deep in the inner ear. It helps our eyes and brain detect and interpret movement. The signals from this system help give us our sense of balance and stability which is why people with vestibular disorder usually deal with balance and stability problems.
In the Palm Beach Health Network, we don’t want vertigo, imbalance, dizziness or any other symptom to stop you from doing the things you love – or even the usual day-to-day tasks. Our experienced vestibular therapists evaluate various symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, and diagnose and provide customized physical therapy for vertigo, balance, dizziness and inner ear disorders. We call them vestibular therapists. At the same time, we have compassionate and accommodating staff who will guide you in making informed health decisions. We are committed to helping you regain your sense of balance and stability so you can be more confident and less prone to falls and injuries while you’re on your feet.
What Is Vestibular Therapy?
Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that addresses primary and secondary symptoms related to various vestibular disorders, such as vertigo, dizziness or imbalance. It is an exercise-based treatment program that aims to improve patients’ physical performance and quality of life by identifying and treating the symptoms and conditions that affect their balance and stability.
How Can Physical Therapy Help with Vertigo, Dizziness or Imbalance?
With commitment, consistency and proper execution, physical therapy for vertigo, dizziness, inner ear disorders or imbalance, also known as vestibular therapy, may help patients achieve the following:
- Clearer vision or more stable gaze
- Decreased dizziness
- Decreased nausea
- Decreased risk of falling
- Improved concentration or focus
- Improved balance
- Improved neck mobility
- Increased confidence in doing physical activities
- Less neck pain
What Are the Common Types of Vestibular Exercises?
Vestibular exercises are meant to help individuals manage their dizziness, unsteadiness and vertigo. They may involve eye, head, neck and body movements that isolate different areas of the system. Depending on each individual’s symptoms, vestibular therapists may prescribe any or a combination of the following types of vestibular exercises:
- Balance training exercises – – aim to help improve your steadiness and balance so you can perform your daily activities, such as taking a bath or walking around the house or the neighborhood, successfully. These moderately challenging exercises may include walking in a straight line for several minutes, standing on one leg for a few seconds, etc.
- Gaze stabilization exercises – help you control your eye movements so you have a clearer vision when moving your head. One of the most common gaze stabilization exercises is keeping your eyes focused on a specific letter placed eye level in front of you while turning your head from side to side for a few seconds. The vestibular therapist may ask you to gradually repeat this exercise three to five times a day.
- Habituation exercises – are ideal for individuals who suffer from dizziness when in stimulating environments (i.e., shopping malls, grocery stores, etc.) or when they move, especially when changing positions like bending over or making fast head movements. Habituation exercises are based on the idea that increased exposure to provocative stimuli such as head movements may help reduce motion-provoked symptoms like dizziness.
Who Is a Candidate for Vertigo Therapy or Balance Therapy?
Vestibular therapy is recommended to individuals who experience or who have been diagnosed with the following symptoms or conditions:
- Vertigo
- Dizziness and sensitivity to motion
- Unsteadiness with head and body motion
- Falls or fear of falling
- Limited tolerance to typical head and neck motion
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Concussion
- Labyrinthitis (inner ear inflammation)
- Meniere’s disease
- Migraines
- Neuropathy
- Nystagmus (involuntary, repetitive eye movements)
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Vestibular neuritis
Why choose the Palm Beach Health Network for Vertigo Therapy or Balance Therapy?
A customized treatment plan and cooperation are three vital factors in successfully achieving vestibular therapy goals. We have a vestibular team consisting of licensed physical therapists, doctors, nurses and administrative staff who can help you overcome, manage and treat a wide variety of symptoms caused by inner ear disorders. They work together to provide the education, encouragement, support and a personalized treatment plan that best fits your individual needs and goals.
Note: The comprehensive clinical assessment may include physical, eye movement, balance, posture, and sensation tests. These tests can help your vestibular therapist identify your symptoms, their potential causes, their severity and how they affect your daily living. You may also be asked about your medical history, previous medications, family history of vision or hearing problems, activity levels or your living situation. Please prepare relevant health documents and information, if any. Your vestibular therapist will develop a customized exercise plan based on your assessment.
