Vestibular Rehabilitation

The goal of Vestibular Rehabilitation is to reduce dizziness, discomfort, sensitivity and balance problems.

Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment

People with vestibular disorders may have many types of symptoms. The most common are dizziness, nausea, and difficulties with vision, hearing, coordination, memory and emotions. Dizziness can have many causes other than vestibular ones—in fact, dizziness is the second most common reason (after back pain) why people go to see a doctor.

At the IPMR Vestibular Rehabilitation program, specially trained therapists conduct a comprehensive evaluation. If needed, they may do further testing with up-to-date balance technology, including the Gait Rite®, or the Solo Glide®. They may use Frenzel glasses for testing peripheral vs. central problems, or use the NeuroCom SmartBalanceMaster® to look for functional deficits with sensory, motor and/or central balance issues.

Using the result of this evaluation, the therapist will develop a patient-specific treatment plan. This plan may involve certain movements or exercises, it may involve strengthening particular muscles, and it may teach compensatory strategies to overcome deficits. Often the therapy process will address reducing sensitivity to movements, improving the use and the integration of vestibular, visual and muscular systems (uptraining). For some conditions like BPPV, a fairly simple canalith repositioning maneuver may bring immediate relief.

Who can benefit from this program?

Many conditions cause vestibular problems, including:

• Acoustic Neuroma (benign tumor)
• Vertigo, including BPPV
• Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis: viral infections of the inner ear
• Tinnitus: ringing in the ears
• Meniere’s Disease
• Mal de Debarquement (unsteadiness that persists after debarking from a boat)
• Otitis Media (middle ear bacterial infections)
• History of falls
• Motion sensitivity
• Cervicogenic dizziness: neck pain or injury (whiplash)
• Head trauma
• Migraines

Other causes include reactions to anesthesia, allergies, diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, lupus, multiple sclerosis, excessive exposure to noise or computer screens, motion sickness, fatigue, stress, glasses, surgeries to correct acute problems, and many types of medications. Sometimes it isn't possible to determine the cause of a vestibular problem. At IPMR we focus on function - so even if the cause remains unclear, we can help you learn how to get through your daily activities with the least discomfort.