Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specific type of physical therapy designed to address the unique problems of patients who suffer from vertigo, dizziness or a sense of imbalance.

The physical therapists in UT Medical Center's Balance and Hearing Center have been specifically trained to diagnose and treat vestibular disorders, as well as balance disorders.

Vestibular rehabilitation helps those experiencing dizziness and balance problems originating from the vestibule of the inner ear. The vestibule, along with vision and sensation, are the three systems used to maintain balance. When problems occur in one of more of these systems, the result is dizziness or a balance disorder. Vestibular rehabilitation uses physical and occupational therapy techniques to treat vertigo and balance disorders with success rates as high as 90 percent.

 

Diagnosing a Vestibular Disorder

The Balance and Hearing Center utilizes a team approach to diagnose and treat dizziness and balance disorders.

• An otolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat doctor) evaluates a patient, orders necessary diagnostic tests, prescribes necessary medications and discusses surgical options, if needed.
• An audiologist assesses how well the inner ear is responding to auditory and vestibular input.
• A physical therapist evaluates vestibular function, vision, sensation and the brain’s ability to utilize information from these systems to maintain balance. The therapist also tests balance, strength, motion sensitivity, coordination, eye function and functional activities.

 

Who Can Benefit From Vestibular Rehabilitation?

• People who suffer from vertigo, dizziness or a sense of imbalance
• People who have had a stroke, head injury or concussion, a history of inner ear problems or diabetes
• Elderly people who are more likely to develop a balance problem due to decreased reaction times and movement speeds, medicines that damage the inner ear and other conditions that affect balance

 

Available Treatments Available for Dizziness and Balance Disorders

• Epley maneuver—a quick and effective treatment for positional vertigo
• Oculomotor exercises—increases coordination between the eyes, brain and vestibular system
• Balance retraining—improves control of balance by teaching the brain to utilize all the systems affecting balance
• Motion tolerance exercises—retrains the brain to adapt to specific movements without dizziness

If you are interested in a balance evaluation, please have your physician send a referral to rehabilitation services at UT Medical Center.