Vestibular issues and balance disorders can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. For many, vestibular physical therapy offers an essential lifeline to return to a normal, comfortable state.
What is vestibular therapy? If you struggle with a vestibular disorder, Exchange Physical Therapy Group offering physical therapy in Jersey City Heights can help you understand whether this form of therapy may be right for you and answer any questions you may have.
Vestibular Physical Therapy: What You Need To Know
Those who struggle with vestibular disorders might experience ongoing symptoms like dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, and nausea. Examples of these conditions include Meniere’s disease, which is an inner ear disorder linked to fluid fluctuations, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which creates a spinning sensation due to displaced ear crystals.
While medication sometimes helps these conditions, physical therapy is often prescribed as a long-term treatment and line of defense. The right physical therapy exercises can help the brain adapt to the vestibular changes and reduce uncomfortable symptoms.
What Is Vestibular Physical Therapy?
Vestibular physical therapy, also called vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), is a form of therapy designed to improve the symptoms of vestibular disorders. It involves specific exercises that help manage symptoms such as dizziness and balance issues, and assist the brain in adjusting to the signals from the vestibular system.
While physical therapists customize the treatment plan to the patient’s specific symptoms and needs, it often involves a progressive program of exercises and head maneuvers.
How Does Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Work?
Your sense of balance relies on the vestibular labyrinth in your inner ears, your vision, and your body’s movements, all communicating with each other. When something disrupts any of these signals, such as fluid in the inner ear, the central nervous system cannot properly process signals. This leads to symptoms of dizziness and imbalance.
VRT works by restoring the connections between the inner ear function, vision, and the body. It may include any of these exercises:
- Repositioning maneuvers that seek to reset displaced particles in the ear canal back to their proper position
- Gaze stability training that strengthens the connection between the eyes and the brain’s balance systems
- Habituation exercises that trigger dizziness and teach your body how to respond
- Balance retraining to strengthen your sense of balance and minimize related symptoms
What Symptoms Can Vestibular Therapy Help Improve?
Vestibular disorders can produce a wide range of symptoms related to balance and dizziness. Vestibular physical therapy seeks to improve these symptoms, such as:
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- General dizziness or lightheadedness
- Neck tightness or stiffness
- Headaches
- Frequent falls
- Vision problems
- Brain fog
- Mild memory issues
For most, improvement is not immediate. Patients generally require vestibular physical therapy for six to eight weeks before seeing significant symptom relief, though some may require only one or two weeks. The exact duration depends on the patient’s condition and symptoms.
Is Vestibular Therapy Right for Everyone?
Vestibular physical therapy is generally helpful for patients with vestibular disorders who experience any of the above symptoms. It rarely causes symptoms to worsen, providing relief for the majority of patients. However, your healthcare provider will want to rule out whether another condition may be causing your dizziness instead, such as neurological conditions or stroke.
Some parts of VRT require patients to enter positions that initially bring on their symptoms of dizziness. The physical therapist will help them move safely during these times.
It is always best to work with a physical therapist for VRT rather than attempting to perform exercises on your own. They can monitor your symptoms and ensure that you perform the exercises correctly to avoid worsening your condition.
Schedule Vestibular Physical Therapy Today in Jersey City Heights, NJ
If you are interested in trying vestibular physical therapy or have questions about the vestibular rehab timeline, Exchange Physical Therapy Group can assist you. We offer this form of therapy at our Jersey City Heights, NJ, clinics and have seen many patients experience significant improvements.
Call (201) 721-6130 today or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
