Vestibular Treatment
Have you ever stood up too quickly and felt dizzy? Or maybe you’ve felt like the room was spinning when it wasn’t? These experiences are often linked to your inner ear and can be signs of a vestibular problem. Vestibular therapy is designed to help people who suffer from these kinds of balance and dizziness issues. Let’s dive into what vestibular therapy is, who needs it, and what happens during therapy sessions.

What is Vestibular Therapy?
Vestibular therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on your vestibular system. This system is a part of your inner ear that helps control your balance and spatial orientation. If something goes wrong with this system, you might experience dizziness, vertigo, or problems with balance and coordination. Vestibular therapy aims to help you regain your balance and reduce symptoms of dizziness.
Who Needs Vestibular Therapy?
Many people can experience vertigo (spinning) but not all conditions can be treated with vestibular therapy. A trained vestibular therapist will assess you properly and tell you what is causing your vertigo. Then he/she will know what treatment and/or exercises will help you.
How Does Vestibular Therapy Work?
The goal of vestibular therapy is to improve balance and reduce dizziness through a variety of exercises. These exercises are designed to retrain your brain and body to process balance-related information better. The therapy often involves head and eye movements, balance training, and exercises that challenge your coordination.
Your therapist will start by assessing your condition to understand what’s causing your symptoms. Based on this assessment, they will create a customized treatment plan for you. This plan might include exercises to improve your gaze stability, balance exercises, and even some maneuvers to reposition crystals in your inner ear that might be causing vertigo.
What Happens in Vestibular Therapy?
During vestibular therapy, you’ll work with a trained therapist who will guide you through various exercises. Some common exercises include:
Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These involve focusing on a target while moving your head. The goal is to train your eyes to stay focused even when your head moves.
Balance Exercises: These help improve your stability and coordination. They might involve standing on one foot, walking heel-to-toe, or using a balance board.
Repositioning Maneuvers: If your vertigo is caused by displaced crystals in your inner ear (a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV), the therapist might perform specific maneuvers to move the crystals back to their correct position.
Risks and Benefits of Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular therapy is generally safe, but it can sometimes cause temporary symptoms like dizziness or nausea during the exercises. These effects usually subside quickly. The benefits of vestibular therapy can be significant, helping you regain your balance and reduce dizziness.
What Can I Expect After the Therapy?
After vestibular therapy, you can expect improved balance and a reduction in dizziness symptoms. You might also find that you’re more confident in your movements and less likely to fall. Depending on your condition, you may need to continue with some exercises at home to maintain the benefits.
Overall, vestibular therapy is a powerful tool for anyone struggling with balance issues or dizziness. If you think you might benefit from this therapy, talk to a healthcare provider to learn more and see if it’s the right fit for you.

ABOUT 16th Ave Chiropractic and Physiotherapy
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