Vestibular Rehabilitation

Chiropractic

May 22

Written By Sparwood Chiropractic & Wellness

What is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate symptoms caused by vestibular disorders.

It is an exercise-based program primarily designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, visual disturbance, and/or imbalance and falls. After injury to the vestibular system occurs, people can feel better and function can return through compensation. This occurs because the brain learns to use other senses like vision and body sense to maintain balance. For people whose symptoms do not reduce and who continue to have difficulty returning to daily activities, VRT can help with recovery by promoting compensation through a personalized exercise program to alleviate symptoms and return to normal function.

Who benefits from vestibular rehabilitation?

Patients typically referred for Vestibular Rehabilitation have been diagnosed with a vestibular condition including:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Vestibular Neuritis/Labyrinthitis
Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction (UVH)
Vestibular Migraine
Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
Neurological conditions (i.e. stroke, traumatic brain injury)

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms that can be helped with vestibular rehabilitation include:

Dizziness or blurry vision with head movements
Neck tightness, stiffness and/or pain
Imbalance or the need to hold onto objects when walking
Headaches
Frequent falls
Generalized “dizziness, wooziness and foggy head” feelings
Vertigo/spinning

At your appointment, a physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and review your medical history. Your assessment will include all or part of the following areas:

Balance and/or leg strength/flexibility
Gait (how you walk)
Visual stability and mobility
Neck mobility and neck and arm strength
Positional testing, including an inner ear exam

Based on the findings, a treatment plan will be developed to address and improve any identified deficits. This, in turn, will help to reduce your symptoms, improve your ability to function in activities of everyday living, reduce your risk for falling and ultimately, and improve your quality of life.

How successful is vestibular rehabilitation therapy?

Many times, vestibular rehabilitation therapy will be the only treatment needed. In most cases, if patients continue to perform the exercises they have learned, balance and dizziness problems decrease significantly or completely disappear.

What are the types of exercises I will learn in a vestibular rehabilitation program?

Examples of exercises you might learn include:

Vision stability training
Posture training
Stretching and strengthening exercises
Balance retraining
Walking exercises
Neck mobility/stretching exercises
General fitness exercises
Ergonomic training

Every treatment plan is unique and your exercise program is developed by identifying your deficits. For example, if your symptoms have been linked to an inner ear problem, you will also learn how to do some self-treatment exercises. Continuing an exercise plan at home can help prevent and/or treat new dizziness and balance episodes.

How long is a typical vestibular rehabilitation program?

Patients are typically seen 1 to 2 times each week for 6 to 8 weeks, but this varies based on the patient’s diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and response to therapy. Some patients may be seen for only 1 to 2 sessions; other patients may need continued treatment for a few months.

What type of recovery/outcome can I expect from vestibular rehabilitation? Expected vestibular rehabilitation outcomes include: