Physical Therapy for Vertigo
Physical Therapy for Vertigo
Are you experiencing dizziness, a spinning sensation, or loss of balance? You’re not alone. Vertigo affects millions, with about 35% of US adults over 40 experiencing vestibular dysfunction. At Highbar Physical Therapy, we specialize in expert vertigo treatment to help you regain your balance and improve your quality of life.
Specialized Physical Therapy for Vertigo
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in addressing the underlying causes of vertigo and managing symptoms effectively. Our experienced team at Highbar is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs.
What to expect during your first visit:
- Comprehensive symptom and medical history assessment
- Specialized tests to identify vertigo type and severity
- Evaluation of balance, gait, and overall physical function
- Development of a customized treatment plan
Early intervention is key to successful vertigo treatment, potentially reducing symptom duration and intensity.
Conditions We Treat
If you're experiencing the disorienting effects of vertigo, know that you're not alone, and Highbar Physical Therapy is here to help. Whether it's the sudden spinning of BPPV, the lingering imbalance of inner ear inflammation, the chronic challenges of Ménière’s, or the neck-related dizziness of Cervicogenic causes, we're committed to helping you find relief and get back to your daily life.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Labyrinthitis
Ménière’s Disease
Vestibular Neuritis
Comprehensive Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation is the cornerstone of our vertigo treatment program. This specialized therapy retrains your brain and improves balance by addressing issues within the vestibular system. Recent studies show significant improvements in vertigo symptoms after vestibular rehabilitation therapy, with patients often experiencing a reduction in Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores from a median of 50 to 36 points.
Physical therapists strengthen the vestibular system and help patients improve their balance with specific exercises that might include eye and head movements, position changes, walking, and balance exercises.
Physical therapists help patients improve their balance and gait, which allows you to feel confident on your feet.
With specific repositioning maneuvers including the Canalith repositioning maneuver, a physical therapist can manually work with a patient to ensure their inner ear is clear.
A typical treatment helps the brain correct differences between your inner ears, improves the ability to focus eyes and vision, and increases tolerance to visually stimulating environments.
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
Yes, home exercises are an important part of vertigo treatment. Your physical therapist will teach you specific exercises and provide clear instructions on frequency and duration. These may include:
- Walking with head turns (1-2 minutes, twice daily)
- Gaze stabilization exercises (30-90 seconds, five times daily)
- Standing balance exercises (30-60 seconds, multiple times daily)
Remember, it’s crucial to perform these exercises correctly and consistently for the best results.
The best exercises depend on your specific condition. Common prescriptions include the Epley maneuver for BPPV, gaze stabilization exercises, and balance training. Your physical therapist will create a personalized exercise program tailored to your needs.
Treatment duration varies depending on the underlying cause and symptom severity. Many patients see significant improvement within 6-8 weeks of starting physical therapy, though some may require longer treatment for optimal results.
The vestibular system in the inner ear is in constant communication with our eyes, our muscles and joints, and many areas of our brain. It’s responsible for head-eye coordination and allows us to have upright posture. We like to say that it’s the “sixth sense” that tells us where we are in space and how we are moving.
If you’re experiencing any balance issues, including dizziness and vertigo, a physical therapist can help you. Request an appointment with an experienced physical therapist at Highbar to help you recover from any dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues so you can continue to live without limitation.
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