What is Vestibular Therapy?

Author: Kelsi Bennett, PT, DPT, OCS, ATC

Vestibular therapy addresses challenges with dizziness, vertigo and balance related to inner ear disorders and neurological conditions. The vestibular system is responsible for sensing head motion and position, and communicating to the rest of the body.  As a result, this allows you to react appropriately to your environment. Problems with the vestibular system can make it difficult to perform daily activities and may increase your risk for falls. 

Common symptoms associated with possible vestibular dysfunction include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Vertigo (sense of spinning)
• Difficulty with balance or walking
• Jumpy or blurry vision
• Frequent falls
• Neck pain and/or stiffness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Hearing loss
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Vestibular conditions can be diagnosed through assessment of inner ear activity, brain signals, eye movement and hearing.  It is commonly treated with medication, physical therapy or sometimes surgery. 

Physical therapy can address vestibular dysfunction through assessment of musculoskeletal range of motion and strength, eye movements, balance, gait and mobility, and positional testing.  Depending on the results of the evaluation, your physical therapist will prescribe appropriate treatment which may include the following:

• Range of motion exercises
• Strengthening
• Posture exercises
• Balance retraining
• Coordination exercises
• Retraining of the inner ear
• Repositioning maneuvers (used to address BPPV)

Common diagnoses we work with at Summit Strength Physical Therapy include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Cervicogenic Dizziness
• Post Concussion Syndrome
• Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction
• Vestibular Neuritis
• Vestibular Migraine
• Meniere’s Disease
• Neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury)

If you experience any symptoms listed above, you could benefit from vestibular therapy. Please call Summit Strength Physical Therapy at 816-524-7040 to speak with a physical therapist today. A referral or prescription is not required to make an appointment.