Vestibular rehabilitation therapy provides several treatment options for individuals suffering from vestibular dysfunction. The treatment helps individuals with vestibular disorders improve their quality of life and resume regular routines.
Understanding Your Vestibular System
The vestibular system is a vital part of how people maintain balance and serves an essential purpose during walking, standing, and other activities. It provides spatial coordination during movement, making it possible for people to carry out their everyday lives.
You might also have heard the vestibular system referred to as the inner ear, and vestibular system disorders called inner ear disorders. The vestibular system is a series of structures and canals within the inner ear.
The structures and canals are filled with fluid, and that fluid shifts whenever you move your head. As it moves, it comes into contact with sensory hairs inside the ear canals. Your brain detects signals from these cells and interprets them as movement or rotation.
The vestibular system can detect a range of movements and sensations. It can detect linear acceleration, such as a jolt forward. It also senses tilting and rotation, along with gravitational force. Overall, the vestibular system provides your brain with an understanding of where you are and how you are moving.
The Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders
A vestibular disorder can cause a patient to experience a feeling of rotation or movement when no such motion is happening. When the vestibular system malfunctions, it can cause significant disorientation and other unpleasant symptoms.
Vertigo (the feeling of spinning or rotation) is among the most common symptoms. It can make moving around or even sitting and standing incredibly difficult. Patients may also feel dizzy or light-headed, leading to nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.
Vestibular disorders can have a significant impact on balance and spatial awareness. Many patients will have difficulty walking and balancing. They can also develop an overall lack of physical coordination that can make any activity difficult.
Getting Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
When a patient experiences dizziness and other early symptoms, they will likely reach out to a general practitioner. The doctor can carry out a variety of tests to determine the root cause of the issue, including a vision exam, imagining tests, and clinical reviews of the patient’s balance.
Once diagnosed, several types of treatment may be effective. Medication can help regulate nausea and dizziness. Vestibular rehabilitation can also help patients suffering from vestibular disorders.
How the Treatment Works
Most rehabilitation programs are centred around exercises, positioning, and balance training. Does vestibular rehabilitation work? Results can vary, but many patients experience a significant improvement in their balance and quality of life.
Some cases of vestibular dysfunction are caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (the accumulation of crystallized material inside structures of the vestibular system). Rehabilitation can include careful head positioning to dislodge this material.
In most cases, a progressive exercise plan is a significant part of rehabilitation. This process builds the ability of the brain to compensate for vestibular dysfunction, restoring the balance and motion of the patient.
Let Us Find the Best Approach for You
If you suffer from vestibular dysfunction, don’t wait another day to get your life back. Count on the professionals at Physiotherapy@Woodbridge to find a treatment plan that works for you. Call us today at 289-475-2147 or contact us online to book your appointment and enjoy relief from your symptoms.
