Vestibular Rehabilitation
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program designed by a specialized physical therapist to improve balance and reduce dizziness-related problems. A treatment plan will be developed that will improve your ability to function in activities of everyday living, reduce your risk for falling, and, ultimately, improve your quality of life.
How does the vestibular system work?
The vestibular system is a main contributor to physical balance. Located in the inner ear, the system senses motion when small hairs, called cilia, are moved by microscopic calcium crystals. When we sit, stand, move, or experience motions (such as in a car) the crystals move the hairs. The brain receives the signals from the hairs, along with information from the eyes and your sense of touch to interpret motion, equilibrium, and orientation in space.
In order to understand how Vestibular Rehabilitation works and the underlying corrective mechanisms, it is important to remember that the primary role of the vestibular system is to tell the brain where the head is in space. Quite simply, the vestibular system is our internal reference telling the brain how our head is orientated - up, down, tilt, etc. The visual and somatosensory (touch, pressure, pain) systems, on the other hand, are external references, providing our brain with information about the movement and stability of the world around us. Working together and when the systems agree, it is the integration of these sensory modalities that provides us with normal equilibrium.
How vestibular rehabilitation can help you?
Vestibular Rehabilitation is a form of Balance Retraining Therapy. It has emerged over the past several years as an alternative treatment for patients with chronic non-resolved motion intolerance, visual sensitivity, and imbalance problems. At FYZICAL, we have a comprehensive balance program that includes assessment and evaluation programs, balance retraining, and vestibular rehabilitation. With balance retraining and vestibular rehabilitation, our goal is to improve balance function and visual motor control, increase general activity levels, and help your body compensate for inner ear disorders. We utilize a state-of-the-art balance machine and our balance therapy programs have a 99% balance improvement success rate.
Who can benefit from vestibular rehabilitation?
Patients who can benefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy are those diagnosed with:
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
- MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
- Vestibular Hypofunction: Labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis
- Migraine Associated Dizziness
- Post-Concussions and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries)
- Neck Related Dizziness & Vertigo
- Fall Risk Seniors
- Musculoskeletal Balance Disorders
- Parkinson's
Other candidates are patients who have had a stroke or brain injury or who frequently fall. You can be fitter, faster, stronger, and more independent. We will work hard to help you achieve your goals in a healthy way.
At FYZICAL, we have changed the way balance and vestibular therapy is performed. Our clinics offer a Safety Overhead Support (S.O.S.) system which utilizes a body harness suspended from a rail system, and acts as a full body weight support system to prevent a person from falling.
To learn more about FYZICAL’s Balance Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, please contact us.
