5 questions to ask before starting vestibular rehab near you

What is your vestibular system and how does it affect you? Your vestibular system includes part of your inner ear that is responsible for controlling your balance and eye movements. When this area becomes damaged, it can cause you to feel dizzy and off-balance. These feelings can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and may happen during certain movements or even just from standing up. No matter where you find yourself in this spectrum, these feelings can often present challenges, making daily tasks difficult. Ready to take the next steps toward feeling steady again? Consider working with a licensed physical therapist to reap the benefits of vestibular rehabilitation. 

Is vestibular rehab right for you? 5 questions you may want to ask before seeking treatment

1. Why am I experiencing periods of dizziness?

While dizziness is often not too serious, it can still be unsettling and may stem from an important underlying cause, such as an inner ear condition, mechanical imbalance, neck issue, or maybe even side effects from medications. In other words, feeling dizzy or having vertigo isn’t a disease on its own, but it can be an important sign that something else in your body needs attention. Working with a physical therapist can help you better determine what may be contributing to your dizziness. 

Common symptoms associated with vestibular dysfunction include: 

• Feeling disoriented

• Lightheadedness

• Feeling unstable

• Blurred vision 

2. Is vestibular rehab the right treatment for my condition?

Before making a treatment plan just for you, your physical therapist will look at your medical history and do a physical exam to help find out what may be causing your dizziness. Your physical exam may include visual tests to assess your balance, a strength evaluation for your upper and lower body, and an inner ear assessment. Once the examination is complete, they will work with you to create a personalized plan to get you back to feeling steady. However, if your physical therapist feels that your symptoms could be caused by something more serious (e.g., a neurological or cardiac issue), they may refer you to the proper specialist for further screening. 

Common vestibular disorders include the following: 

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

• Ménière’s disease

• Vestibular neuritis

• Labyrinthitis

3. What is vestibular rehab? 

If you’re experiencing any of the above feelings associated with dizziness, you may think it’s best to stop moving until the feeling passes. However, movement is medicine for your balance system and may actually improve the way you feel. That’s why vestibular rehabilitation uses a personalized exercise plan, created by your physical therapist, to help strengthen your body and meet your unique needs. Simple, low-impact movements, like diaphragmatic (belly) breathing and gently turning your head, may help ease dizziness, improve balance and even help your brain get used to movement again.

Here are some examples of exercises commonly used for vestibular rehabilitation:

• Belly breathing — Belly breathing helps to relax your brain and body.

• Head nodding “yes” — Practicing this helps train your eyes and your head to move properly up and down.

• Rotation with hands and head together — This exercise trains your eyes to stay focused while you move, so you're not distracted by motion in your side vision.

4. Are there any risks associated with vestibular rehab?

Since vestibular rehabilitation therapy is tailored to meet you at your current level of need, there are no known physical risks associated with this form of care. However, there is a chance that this form of therapy will not resolve your dizziness or other balance issues depending on the cause of your vestibular dysfunction. Sticking to the treatment plan and exercises your physical therapist recommends can increase the likelihood of resolving your issues.

5. What are the potential benefits of vestibular rehab? 

• Reduced dizziness symptoms

• Improved functional mobility 

• Reduced risk of falling 

• Improved balance

• Increased body strength 

• Enhanced quality of life from managing symptoms

Tired of feeling dizzy? We can help at KC Rehab 

No matter what’s causing you to feel out of sync, there are several ways that vestibular rehabilitation can help manage your symptoms. Finding the cause of your vestibular dysfunction can bring you closer to the solution you need to feel better.

At KC Rehab, our team can help calm your dizziness with a personalized treatment plan that’s right for you. We can work with you to help improve your balance and mobility and strengthen your muscles to prevent future issues. With our guidance and support, you can feel better and move better.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.