Overcoming Vertigo with Vestibular Therapy

Dizziness and vertigo can profoundly affect your everyday life. You may feel it’s unsafe to go out in public or worry about your fall risk. Fortunately, there’s a solution that can help you regain stability: vestibular therapy for vertigo.

Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on addressing inner ear issues that can cause vertigo and other balance-related symptoms. This therapy involves exercises and treatments designed to address vestibular impairments and guide you toward steady, confident movement.

Are you tired of feeling off balance? Are you sick of those unnerving spinning sensations appearing out of nowhere? Keep reading to learn more Go Physical Therapy Balance Mobility Aquatics & Cancer Center’s comprehensive vestibular therapy programs!

Vertigo and the Vestibular System

To understand vestibular therapy, you first need to understand the vestibular system.

The vestibular system is the system in your body responsible for controlling balance and spatial organization. The central vestibular system is located in your cerebellum and interprets messages from your peripheral vestibular system, which is located in your inner and detects changes in head movement.

When something disrupts these signals, it can lead to a sensation known as vertigo, where it feels like the room is spinning or tilting. Vertigo is different from general dizziness, which is more of a lightheaded feeling. While dizziness can come from various causes, vertigo specifically relates to inner ear issues.

Vestibular therapy for vertigo targets these inner ear problems by using specific exercises to retrain the brain and body to interpret signals correctly. We use customized treatment programs to improve your balance and reduce the sensation of spinning or disorientation.

Vestibular Therapy for Vertigo: What To Expect

Your first appointment at Go Physical Therapy Balance Mobility Aquatics & Cancer Center will consist of a comprehensive assessment, during which we will evaluate your symptoms, balance, and movement patterns to create a tailored treatment plan. Because vestibular therapy involves several different treatment techniques, this approach ensures we select the best methods for your needs.

Common Vestibular Therapy Techniques for Vertigo

Habituation Exercises

• These exercises involve repeated exposure to movements or positions that trigger vertigo, helping the brain become less sensitive to those stimuli over time.

Gaze Stabilization Exercises

• These exercises help the eyes stay focused on a target while the head moves, retraining the brain to manage head and eye movements more effectively and reducing dizziness during everyday activities.

Balance Retraining

• This method involves exercises that challenge your balance in different positions and environments. It aims to improve stability during activities such as standing or walking, helping reduce the risk of falls.

Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers

• Sometimes, vertigo is caused by small crystals in the inner ear, a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). In these cases, repositioning maneuvers move these displaced particles back to their correct position, relieving vertigo symptoms.

Strength and Postural Training

• We’ll also help you build core strength and improve your posture to enhance overall balance and reduce your risk of falling.

Say Goodbye to Vertigo with Vestibular Therapy!

Vestibular therapy for vertigo is an excellent way to manage these uncomfortable systems and get back to living a full, active life. Are you ready to say goodbye to your vertigo? Schedule an appointment at Go Physical Therapy Balance Mobility Aquatics & Cancer Center’s Grand Island, NE clinic today!