What Happens in Vestibular Physical Therapy?

The first step in vestibular PT involves a comprehensive assessment by your therapist to identify the specific nature and severity of the vestibular dysfunction. This assessment may include tests of balance, eye movements, and positional changes to pinpoint the root cause of symptoms. Once diagnosed, a personalized treatment plan is created to address the individual's unique needs and goals.

Treatment strategies typically involve a combination of exercises and/or maneuvers designed to promote vestibular adaptation and compensation. These treatments can vary widely depending on the particular condition causing vestibular issues. These exercises may include:

1. Gaze Stabilization Exercises: Focus on improving visual fixation and reducing blurry or bouncy vision during head movements.

2. Balance Training: Targeting proprioception and stability to enhance postural control and reduce the risk of falls.

3. Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Specifically for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), maneuvers like the Epley maneuver are used to reposition displaced otoconia (crystals) within the inner ear.

4. Habituation Exercises: Gradual exposure to movements or positions that provoke symptoms, aiming to reduce sensitivity and improve tolerance over time.

5. General Conditioning: Including cardiovascular exercises and strength training to improve overall physical fitness, which can indirectly benefit vestibular function.

Your therapist will provider guidance on the amount and intensity of all rehabilitation exercises, as well as provide expectations as to what you may experience during or after performing these activities. Home exercise programs are often prescribed to reinforce gains made during therapy sessions and promote long-term recovery.

Throughout the therapy process, patients are educated about their condition and taught strategies for managing symptoms independently once formal therapy is completed.

Our goal at Summit Neuro is to help you get well, and help you understand how to stay well. Your therapist will provide insights into this, as well as information regarding when additional therapy may be necessary.

If you are suffering from vertigo, dizziness, or imbalance, and would like to try vestibular PT, please feel free to Contact Us to set up an evaluation.