
The goal of Vestibular Rehabilitation is to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system in coordination with information from the visual system, muscles, joints and skin receptors.
The treatment often involves desensitizing the balance system to movements that provoke symptoms. The first step is to first perform a thorough evaluation. This includes observing posture, balance, movement, compensatory strategies as well as the effect of head movements and position on symptoms.
Using the result of this evaluation, the therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan. The chosen treatment may be a particle repositioning technique or may include specific rehabilitation exercises. The exercises may combine specific head and/or body movements, eye exercises and balance exercises. Many times, treatment may also include increasing activities and exercise to increase tolerance for certain stimuli.
What are the Justifications for Referral?
- Positional Vertigo - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Persistent Vertigo
- History of Falls
- Motion Sensitivity
- Visual Motion Disturbances
- Poor Balance
- Post Motor Vehicle Accident Dizziness / Vertigo
What are Typical Diagnoses?
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Labyrinthitis
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Disequilibrium of Aging
- Cervicogenic Dizziness