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Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) is a customized exercise program that has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving function for patients with vestibular disorders.
It involves exercises that help to reduce dizziness related to head movement, increase balance during daily activities and improve gaze stability with motion by improving eye and head movement coordination.
Treating vestibular conditions takes time and requires active participation from the individual for best results.
Structure & Function of the Vestibular System
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Your internal ear consists of two main parts:
1) The cochlea - auditory (hearing) system and
2) The semicircular ducts - vestibular (balance) system
The vestibular system provides the sense of balance and the information about body position that allows rapid compensatory movements in response to both self-induced and externally generated forces.
If the system is damaged, your balance, control of eye motion with head movement and sense of orientation in space are all adversely affected.
Types of vestibular disorders
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Peripheral vestibular disorders (PVD)
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Conditions that impact your inner ear or the vestibular nerve that carries balance signals to your brain. These disorders include neuritis, labyrinthitis, bilateral vestibular loss, Meniere’s and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
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Central vestibular disorders (CVD)
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Conditions that impact parts of your brain that integrate and process sensory input from the vestibular, visual and somatosensory systems. Some common disorders include brainstem strokes, head trauma and cerebellar degeneration.
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Duration of Vestibular Rehabilitation
Most individuals with PVD or CVD are typically seen by a physiotherapist 1 to 2 times per week and are taught daily home exercises.
The average length of therapy for individuals with PVD ranges from 6 to 12 weeks and the length of therapy for those with CVD is typically longer.
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If you or your loved one is suffering from dizziness or vertigo, please contact us to find out how we can treat your condition.