Vestibular Rehabilitation

WHAT IS VESTIBULAR THERAPY?

Ever have the sensation that the room is spinning? Worried about staying up right because of feeling off balance? If you are dizzy, it may be because you have an inner ear (or vestibular) disorder. You are not alone, more than 1 in 3 adults over the age of 40 will have some degree of vestibular dysfunction. Sapphire has physical therapists specialized in vestibular rehabilitation focused around improving/ lessening dizziness, and thoroughly assessing potential balance problems. 

There are 3 primary systems in the body that contribute to maintaining balance:

  • Vision

  • Somatosensory/ Proprioception (joint sense)

  • Vestibular system (inner ear which senses and detects movement)

Vestibular rehabilitation is focused on reducing vertigo, dizziness, instability, and falls through exercise. If necessary, our therapists will use infrared goggles, for examination of the vestibular ocular reflex for thorough evaluation to rule in/ out potential problems.  

WHAT DOES THIS INCLUDE:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

  • Vestibular neuritis/ hypofunction

  • Meniere’s Disease

  • Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (3PD)

  • Post-concussion syndrome

  • Imbalance / falling

  • Vestibular Migraine 

  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT?

 

Comprehensive clinical assessment:

  • history of your symptoms

  • description of what makes symptoms worse and better

  • your medical history

  • medication past/ present

  • loss of balance/ fall history

  • your current activity level and living/ structural environment

Performance testing:

  • screen of vision tests (looking at eye movement)

  • screen of vestibular tests

  • muscle strength

  • extremity and spine motion

  • coordination

  • balance

  • gait/ walking 

Result:

A Customized You-centered Exercise Plan

After your clinical assessment, you and your physical therapist will work together to create a plan centered around you and getting back to a movement confident lifestyle you want. The exercise plan will be shaped from the results of your evaluation.

Erin Williams, PT, DPT

Vestibular Specialist through Duke University

Schedule an appointment: 406.549.5283

Educational resources:

Understanding BPPV