Vestibular Therapy for Vertigo

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that causes a sensation of spinning or imbalance. It can make everyday activities, such as walking, standing, or even sitting still, feel challenging and unsettling. This condition is more than just a feeling of dizziness—it’s a symptom of various underlying conditions, including vestibular disorders. If you suffer from vertigo, vestibular therapy can be an effective solution to help restore balance and reduce dizziness. At Miracure Physiotherapy in Calgary, we offer vestibular rehabilitation therapy to help you regain control of your balance and improve your quality of life.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation that the world around you is spinning, even though you’re perfectly still. Unlike general dizziness, which can feel like lightheadedness or a sense of faintness, vertigo involves a feeling of movement, either of your body or the environment. This disorienting sensation can be caused by several health conditions that affect the vestibular system, which is responsible for your balance.

Common causes of Vertigo include

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Ménière’s Disease
• Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Migraines
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

What is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized type of physical therapy designed to help people with balance disorders. It uses targeted exercises to improve the vestibular system’s ability to process signals, helping to reduce dizziness and improve coordination. VRT focuses on enhancing your body’s ability to maintain balance by retraining the brain to properly interpret signals from the vestibular system, eyes, and muscles.

This therapy can significantly reduce dizziness and the risk of falls, improving overall quality of life for people with vertigo or balance issues.

Who Needs Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is often recommended for individuals experiencing:

• Vertigo or dizziness associated with vestibular disorders.
• Balance issues resulting from conditions such as BPPV, Ménière’s disease, or vestibular neuritis.
• Post-concussion syndrome or traumatic brain injury.
• Age-related balance problems or an increased risk of falling.

If you suffer from any of these conditions, vestibular rehabilitation can help alleviate symptoms and restore function, allowing you to resume normal activities with greater confidence.

How Does Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Work?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy works by retraining your brain and vestibular system to function properly. Your vestibular system is a part of your inner ear that helps control balance. It works with your eyes, muscles, joints, and skin to send signals to your brain, letting it know your body’s position relative to the environment. When the system becomes disrupted due to an injury, illness, or age, it can cause dizziness and balance problems.

VRT uses specific exercises to address the underlying issues causing your vertigo or imbalance. These exercises may include:

1. Eye Movement Exercises
   These exercises help your eyes and inner ear work together to improve visual stabilization and reduce dizziness when moving your head or eyes.
2. Balance Training
   Balance exercises focus on strengthening your muscles and improving coordination to help you maintain stability while standing, walking, or performing other activities.
3. Habituation Exercises
   These exercises help reduce your sensitivity to movements or positions that trigger dizziness.
4. Strengthening and Stretching
   Strengthening exercises improve overall body strength, while stretching exercises improve flexibility and reduce tension, both of which can contribute to better balance.

What to Expect

Before starting vestibular rehabilitation therapy, your physical therapist will perform an assessment to determine the cause of your dizziness and balance issues. This may involve tests to evaluate your vestibular function, gait, strength, and flexibility.

Once the cause of your symptoms is determined, your therapist will design a personalized treatment plan that targets your specific needs. Therapy sessions typically involve a combination of the following:

• Personalized exercises that you can continue to do at home.
• Manual techniques to improve neck mobility and reduce tension.

Balance retraining using different postures and movements.

Duration and Frequency of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

The length of your vestibular rehabilitation therapy depends on your specific condition and how well you respond to treatment. Most individuals require between 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, with sessions occurring once or twice a week. For some people, therapy may be completed in as few as 2-4 sessions, while others may need longer treatment to see significant improvement.

Ongoing exercises at home may be required to maintain progress and reduce the risk of recurrence. Your therapist will provide you with a tailored exercise program to follow between visits.

Risks and Benefits of Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Benefits of VRT

• Reduced dizziness and vertigo symptoms
• Improved balance and coordination
• Lower risk of falls and related injuries
• Enhanced mobility and independence
• Improved quality of life by reducing the impact of dizziness and balance issues

Risks of VRT

• There are minimal risks involved in vestibular rehabilitation therapy. Some people may experience mild dizziness or fatigue after sessions, especially when starting therapy. However, this is temporary and typically improves as you progress with your exercises.

When Should You Contact a Healthcare Provider?

If you experience any of the following symptoms while doing your exercises at home, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider immediately:

• Sudden changes in hearing or ear fullness
• Increased ringing in the ears
• Pain in the neck or back during exercises
• Fluid coming from your ears

These could indicate an underlying issue that requires further evaluation.

Direct Billing for Vestibular Therapy in Calgary

At Miracure Physiotherapy, we offer direct billing for vestibular rehabilitation therapy to make the payment process easier for you. Our clinic works with most major insurance companies, so you don’t have to worry about handling the paperwork. We’ll take care of submitting your claims directly to your insurer, saving you time and hassle.

If you suffer from vertigo or balance issues, contact Miracure Physiotherapy today to schedule your consultation. Our team of experienced therapists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and help you regain balance and stability. Start your journey toward feeling better today!