Ian Purcell MD PhD Monali Patel MD Otoneurology Call 858 223 2172
Educational Resources
Patient education

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based therapy that retrains the brain to compensate for inner ear problems, reducing dizziness and improving balance.

At a glance

Helps with
Dizziness, imbalance, and blurred vision from inner ear problems
How it works
Targeted exercises retrain the brain to compensate
Who it's for
Recovery after neuronitis or concussion, and chronic imbalance
What to expect
A tailored program of gaze, balance, and walking exercises

Overview

Vestibular Rehabilitation is an innovative therapy approach targeting symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. These disorders can significantly impact an individual's balance, causing dizziness, vertigo, and other related symptoms due to damage or illness affecting the vestibular organs.

Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular Rehabilitation

The Essence of Vestibular Rehabilitation

This specialized form of rehabilitation focuses on retraining the brain to more effectively process signals from the vestibular system in coordination with vision and proprioception. The goal is to alleviate reliance on vision and proprioceptive cues alone and to correct maladaptive patterns of movement that might worsen symptoms.

Objectives of Vestibular Rehabilitation

The primary aims include:

  • Brain Retraining: To recognize and process vestibular signals accurately.
  • Desensitization: To reduce the balance system's sensitivity to movements that provoke symptoms.
  • Mobility Restoration: To enable individuals to conduct daily activities confidently.

Vestibular rehabilitation seeks to mitigate the need for compensatory strategies that may lead to muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue, promoting a return to normal life activities.

Technologies and Approaches in Vestibular Rehabilitation

While our clinic discusses vestibular rehabilitation broadly, several state-of-the-art technologies and unique equipment are noteworthy in this field, including:

  • Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill: An innovative tool designed to aid in balance and gait training by allowing controlled weight-bearing exercises.
  • Spine Force Machine: A unique equipment focusing on reinforcing muscle, enhancing balance, and establishing proprioception through an oscillating platform, providing a comprehensive approach to restore spinal and overall body balance.

These technologies exemplify the advanced approaches used in vestibular rehabilitation programs worldwide to address and manage vestibular disorders effectively.

Testing that can help

Testing is chosen from your history and examination. These are the tests most often used here.

Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP)Balance platform testing that measures how vision, vestibular input, and body sensation contribute to postural control.
Specialty care: Vestibular DisordersVestibular disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting the vestibular system, which is crucial for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR)The vestibulo-ocular reflex keeps vision steady during head movement by moving the eyes opposite to the head.PresbyastasisPresbyastasis is the gradual, age-related decline in balance caused by changes in the inner ear, vision, sensation, and strength, and it raises the risk of falls.Rehabilitation technologyVestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based therapy that retrains the brain to compensate for inner ear problems, reducing dizziness and improving balance.

When to seek urgent care

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if dizziness or imbalance starts suddenly together with any of the following, since these can be signs of a stroke or another emergency:

  • Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side
  • Trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Double vision or sudden loss of vision
  • A sudden, severe headache
  • Inability to walk or stand
  • Chest pain, fainting, or a seizure

Further reading

This article is for general education and does not replace a medical evaluation. Testing and treatment are chosen for each patient after a full history and examination.