Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy in CT & NY
Vestibular Rehabilitation – the PMR Approach
Vestibular rehabilitation is exercise-based therapy, designed by a specialty-trained vestibular physical therapist, to improve balance and reduce problems related to dizziness.What Defines Dizziness?
Dizziness can be described as:- Feelings of unsteadiness
- Wooziness
- Lightheadedness
- Feelings of passing out
- Sensations of moving
- Spinning
- Floating
- Swaying
- Tilting
- Vertigo
What Causes Dizziness?
Each year, millions of patients visit a physician due to dizziness. In addition, it is the most common complaint of patients over the age of 75, however, it can occur in patients of any age. Dizziness is generally not serious, but is often a sign of a mechanical problem. Dizziness can be due to an inner ear disorder, a side effect of medications, a sign of neck dysfunction, or it can be due to a more serious problem such as a brain or a heart problem.Who Can Benefit from Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Patients typically referred for vestibular rehabilitation therapy are those diagnosed with dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, Meniere’s syndrome, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), neck-related dizziness and migraines. Other candidates are patients who have had a stroke or brain injury or who frequently fall. 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
- 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
How Successful is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy?
Many times, vestibular rehabilitation therapy will be the only treatment needed. Other times, it is a part of the presurgery/postsurgery treatment plan. 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 (This advice is given so that workplace furnishings can be adjusted to improve a person’s posture and decrease any discomforts.)
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:- Decreased risk of falling
- A decrease in dizziness symptoms
- Improved balance
- Improved ability to stabilize vision/gaze
- Increased body strength
- Return to prior level of movement/function
- Increase in confidence in ability to maintain balance
- Improved neck motion, reduced symptoms
Schedule an Appointment
Patients are self referred for vestibular rehabilitation therapy or referred by health care professionals. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT is well respected among the larger health care professional community. If you suffer from dizziness, vertigo, or other inner ear disorders, or to find out more about vestibular rehabilitation therapy and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT’s approach, contact us now.Our Team of Specialists are Ready to Get You Started on Your Journey to Wellness.
Our Team of Specialists are Ready to Get You Started on Your Journey to Wellness.
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