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Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is physical therapy that helps to reduce or eliminate balance issues. The Vestibular System aids with your balance and orientation.

About 4 in every 10 people will suffer from dizziness at some stage in their life and it is important to get an accurate diagnosis so that conditions can be treated effectively.

Like any condition – accurate diagnosis as to why these symptoms are occurring is most important. It is never normal to be dizzy, regardless of age. It is NOT an “inevitable part of aging”!

Dizzy symptoms and balance problems vary in severity from being annoying to being totally debilitating. No 2 dizzy patients are identical – each is as unique as their finger print. Daily
life can be filled with anxiety and the fear of the unkown. It can make working difficult, and sometimes cause you to not be able to work completely. Socialising can become too challenging. Activities like driving may be next to impossible. As a result relationships can suffer and frustration, loss of self-confidence, anxiety and depression can ensue.

What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Following a comprehensive evaluation, a diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment for that condition is initiated.

If Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the diagnosis, then Canalith Repositioning Therapy (CRT) is done to relocate the displaced debris in the inner ear back to their correct place, 95% of patients are asymptomatic following one manoeuvre.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is an exercised based programme designed to promote central nervous system re-training for vestibular deficits. This may include gaze stabilisation exercises that train the eyes to maintain focus while the head moves, balance training or habituation exercises. VRT is grounded in evidence-based medicine and has been extensively researched. It is now considered to be the most successful management approach for people with dizziness and balance problems associated with disorders of the vestibular system.

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Vertigo/ dizziness/ imbalance

Vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance are mostly caused by a disorder of the inner ear. This is where your vestibular system is located. The vestibular system’s role is to aid with your balance and orientation.

If the vestibular system is damaged due to disease, injury or ageing, vestibular disorders or balance difficulties can result.

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with a poorly functioning vestibular system may vary in severity, duration and frequency depending on the condition. These symptoms can vary from being annoying to being very debilitating.

Vertigo

The term ‘vertigo’ describes a symptom and is not a condition. It describes a sensation of the true spinning of your environment and is associated with many conditions involving the vestibular system.

Impact

These symptoms can vary from being annoying to being very debilitating. They can have a large impact on your ability to function and the quality of your daily life. It is very common that people lose their confidence and report feelings of anxiety and low mood.