VESTIBULAR THERAPY

Vestibular therapy is a specialty within physical therapy that uses targeted exercises that result in stimulating and retraining the vestibular system. At Peak Physiotherapy and Performance we provide vestibular therapy to treat a variety of diagnoses that result in dizziness or vertigo.

Individuals who suffer from problems related to the vestibular organs may have a specific set of diagnoses such as a hypofunction, labyrinthitis, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, or vestibular neuritis. Other forms of dizziness originate from disorders related to motion sensitivity, such as Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness or Mal de Debarquement. These conditions affect the calibration of incoming information in the brain from the sensory systems. In other words, the brain is overwhelmed and unable to accurately respond to the incoming information. 

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a non-fatal condition that affects the inner ear and causes abnormal signals to be sent to the eyes and brain. Our vestibular therapists are highly qualified to treat BPPV through special positional maneuvers with positive and fast recovery rates. 

There are four types of dizziness or vertigo that Peak Physiotherapy and Performance can help treat with vestibular therapy in Columbus, Ohio.

Vestibular therapy is the most effective treatment physical therapists use to manage dizziness and vertigo. Vestibular therapy assists in naturally healing: headaches, hypofunction, labyrinthitis, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, vestibular neuritis, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness or mal de debarquement. These techniques are also used to help retrain the vestibular and balance systems in our patients.

This is one particular form of vertigo and is the most common vestibular disorder. A shift in the position of the otoconia crystals in your inner ear generally causes BPPV. When they accumulate, they interfere with the motion of fluid in your inner ear, which then sends false signals to the brain causing a dizzy sensation.

Generally, symptoms occur when you change position; anything that involves rotating your head such as rolling over in bed or bending over. BPPV does not give constant dizziness, affect your hearing, or cause trouble with coordination. It is more common in older adults, but can occur in younger adults as well. Our physical therapists with vestibular training can treat BPPV by moving you through a series of maneuvers or exercises designed to guide the crystals back where they belong. We call these Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers. The precise maneuvers needed depend on where the crystals have ended up, so you should not try to self treat. BPPV is typically resolved in just 1-2 visits when working with one of our specialists. 

Vestibular neuritis is also a disorder of the inner ear. In this case, it’s caused by inflammation of the vestibulocochlear nerve, which sends information from the inner ear to the brain, disrupting the flow of information. Vertigo as a result of vestibular neuritis is severe and is accompanied by difficulties with balance, concentration and nausea. The most common cause of vestibular neuritis is a viral infection, which can include a simple head cold.

Most people are prescribed a course of drugs by their physician and referred to vestibular therapy for treatment. Vestibular therapy retrains the brain to fix long-term vestibular issues which cause vertigo with when trying to balance, turn your head, focusing on objects, and general movement about the world.

You just took a cruise, but seem to have, well…lost your land legs. Mal de debarquement, or sickness of disembarkment, refers to the fact that when you get off a boat the land seems to be moving (however, it can also sometimes occur after a long plane flight, a long train ride, or even using a waterbed). For most people, mal de debarquement can have lingering effects for weeks, months or even years.

Mal de debarquement that lasts more than a month is considered persistent. True vertigo is rare, it’s more a sensation of the ground swaying, but it can make reading and using electronic devices difficult. Some individuals get anxiety over the feeling of unsteadiness as well. Vestibular therapy can help retrain the brain to stop thinking that the ground is going to move, and help patients stop rocking or swaying to compensate for movement that isn’t actually happening.

Cervicogenic means “starts in the neck.” In this case, the dizziness is caused by neck injury or pain. Cervicogenic dizziness does not cause vertigo, but instead an “off” or “foggy” feeling of dizziness. It is often accompanied by a headache. Cervicogenic dizziness is generally diagnosed if the person has neck pain and no other obvious cause for the dizziness.

The treatment is focused on a combination of vestibular therapy combined with more traditional methods to resolve the underlying neck problem. Physical therapy involving corrective exercise, joint manipulation/mobilization, dry needling or cupping are often used together ease neck pain. The therapist will also give you instructions to improve your posture and ergonomics so as to avoid further neck problems. Once the neck pain and headaches resolve, so does the dizziness. 

Peak Physiotherapy and Performance provides vestibular therapy for patients in Columbus, Ohio for fast relief of dizziness or vertigo. We use these techniques to restore balance and improve quality of life.  Peak Physiotherapy and Performance has 2 office locations in where we provide vestibular therapy in Columbus Ohio. We have one location provides vestibular therapy in Blacklick and another location provides vestibular therapy in Canal Winchester.