What is Vestibular Training?

Vestibular disorders arise when there is a problem with parts of the inner ear and brain that processes the sensory information involving the control of balance and eye movement. More than 10 million patients go to a physician with dizziness symptoms every year and it affects patients of all ages. Most cases are not serious but could be the result of an inner ear disorder, caused by a head injury, medication side effects, neck dysfunction, or in extreme cases a neurological or cardiac issue.

Vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbance, and imbalance are symptoms of a vestibular disorder. Symptoms can be felt while standing still, lying down, or changing positions, and can be enduring or episodic, with the sensation lasting seconds, minutes, or hours. If you feel any of these symptoms you should seek advice from a physician, as there are several different vestibular disorders that could be the cause.

Left unchecked, these symptoms can give rise to secondary vestibular disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. These disorders can further lead to anxiety and depression as a result of decreased ability to complete daily activities. Some patients may also experience muscle loss as a result from prolonged periods of laying down to avoid dizziness symptoms.

Vestibular rehabilitation has been successful in improving several inner ear and balance disorders as well as reducing all primary and secondary symptoms that a patient may be experiencing. The physician will take a detailed history of symptoms from the patient and their effects on daily life, as well as medications, history of falls, hearing and vision problems, and any other medical issues. Therapy is unique for each patient and depends on the specific disorder, but can include:

• Balance training exercises
• Posture training
• Walking exercises
• Sensory organization training
• Simulation exercises
• Habituation exercises

The exercises are designed to be challenging for the patient to increase balance ability while being safe enough that patients do not fall during the exercise.

Rehabilitation programs depend on the severity of the case and response of the assigned therapy, but patients are typically seen one or two times a week for six to eight weeks. For many patients, vestibular therapy is the only treatment needed.

From therapy, a patient should expect:

• Decreased falling
• Improved balance
• Decreased dizziness
• Less frequent episodes

When therapy ends, patients are encouraged to perform the exercises at home to significantly decrease symptoms or have them completely disappear.

If you’re looking for vestibular therapy or evaluation in the Massapequa area, Park Physical Therapy provides compassion and high-quality care to all patients seeking advice from a medical professional. To make an appointment, contact them today!