Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Overview

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on improving vision stability, enhancing balance, strengthening core muscles, and reducing the risk of falls. Studies indicate that individuals with balance issues who participate in VRT often experience improved balance, reduced dizziness, and a lower likelihood of falling.

VRT involves targeted exercises aimed at addressing dizziness and balance challenges. Although progress may take time, this therapy can lead to significant improvements in your overall quality of life.

Reasons for undergoing the procedure

Dizziness can be a symptom of various medical conditions that impact your balance. In addition to balance issues, dizziness may lead to muscle fatigue and headaches. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy may benefit individuals with conditions such as:

• Stroke.
• Vertigo.
• Falling risk.
• Labyrinthitis.
• Ménière’s disease.
• Vestibular neuritis.
• Migraine headache.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Balance issues and dizziness are related. Treatment for vestibular impairment aids in the management of imbalance symptoms associated with dizziness. It may be helpful to learn more about the causes of extreme vertigo and how your body maintains equilibrium in order to comprehend therapy.

Dizziness

When your sense of spatial orientation is disrupted, it can lead to dizziness. Your brain assesses your position in relation to your surroundings to maintain this orientation. When this process is affected, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded, and you might also experience a sense of imbalance or a shaky sensation.

Balance

The interaction of your brain’s central nervous system with your sensory organs determines how balanced you feel. Among the senses you have are:

• Your inner ear’s vestibular labyrinth: which is made up of the otolith organs that respond to movement and gravity, as well as your semicircular canals, or loops, which respond when you turn your head. 
• Your vision: The position of your body in respect to other objects is indicated by the impulses your eyes transmit to your brain. 
• Your muscles, joints, and skin: Your body exerts pressure on these tissues as it moves. Your brain receives messages from your tissues that indicate where your body is in space. Tissues in your lower thigh and rear of your foot, for instance, are compressed when you lean back while standing. Your brain is informed by that pressure that you are slanting rather than standing erect. 

This information is gathered by the central nervous system, which then uses it to instruct your body on how to stay balanced. The proper processing of information by your central nervous system is compromised when there is an interference with the system’s connection. Restoring such connections with the aid of vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help lessen your feelings of imbalance and vertigo.

Risks

Vestibular rehabilitation is a safe treatment option with minimal health risks. However, it’s important to note that while therapy can help, it may not completely resolve your balance issues or dizziness. This is particularly true if you struggle to follow the exercises as instructed on your own.

Before the procedure

It will be necessary to assess your symptoms. An audiologist can perform a battery of vestibular tests on you. These are various tests designed to assess the function of the vestibular portion of the inner ear. Your balance, flexibility, arm and leg strength, and gait (the way you walk) will all be assessed by a physical therapist.

During the procedure

Dizziness and balance problems can have diverse effects on you. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy will be customized by your doctor to meet your individual needs. They’ll demonstrate how to perform particular exercises so you may work out whenever it’s convenient for you at home. These exercises may be part of therapy:

• Balance retraining.
• Controlling eye movement
• Stretching and strengthening.

That is contingent upon your particular circumstances. The reason behind your dizziness or balance problems, as well as how you react to treatment, will determine how much therapy you require. Most people meet for six or eight times a week. Some individuals might only require one or two sessions. Some patients could require several months of continuous care, which would include independent exercise.

Outcome

This depends on your individual circumstances. However, most people who consistently adhere to their exercise regimen tend to experience significantly reduced balance issues and dizziness.