Vestibular rehabilitation

Each year nearly 8 million people visit their doctor for the evaluation and treatment of dizziness or unsteadiness. By age 75, dizziness and balance disorders are one of the most common reasons for seeking a physician’s assistance. Physical therapists can play an integral role in treating this patient population.

Common causes

• Illness
• Infections
• Disease
• Head trauma
• Aging
• Long-term antibiotics
• Inner ear tumor

Symptoms

• Vertigo
• Spinning
• Foggy or fuzzy
• Fainting sensation
• Headaches
• Floating sensation
• Neck pain
• Imbalance
• Falls
• Staggering
• Some symptoms only occur with quick head movements
• Symptoms may manifest during menstrual cycles or changes in weather and may accompany panic disorder or depression

Evaluation

A physical therapist will help determine the source of dizziness in patients that have these symptoms. Positional vertigo can be identified by tests that may stimulate dizziness. Functional balance and mobility are also assessed during the evaluation.

Treatment

• Habituation/oculomotor exercises
• Canal repositioning treatment
• Balance retraining
• ADL training
• Gait activities
• Education