Vestibular rehabilitation Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Vestibular rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an exercise-based treatment program designed to promote vestibular adaptation and substitution. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Vestibular rehabilitation
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems due to vestibular disorders. It is an exercise-based program primarily designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, reduce gaze instability, and/or reduce imbalance and fall risk as well as address any secondary impairments that are a consequence of the vestibular disorder.
For most people who have a vestibular disorder, the deficit is permanent because the amount of restoration of vestibular function is very small. However, after vestibular system damage, symptoms can reduce and function can improve because of compensation. This occurs because the brain learns to use other senses (vision and somatosensory – body sense) to substitute for the deficient vestibular system. For many, compensation occurs naturally over time, but for patients whose symptoms do not reduce and who continue to have difficulty returning to daily activities, VR can assist in recovery by promoting compensation.
The goal of VR is to use a problem-oriented approach to promote compensation. This is achieved by customizing exercises to address the specific problem(s) of each individual. Therefore, before an exercise program can be designed, a comprehensive clinical examination is needed to identify problems related to the vestibular disorder. Depending on the vestibular-related problem(s) identified, three principal methods of exercise can be prescribed: 1) Habituation, 2) Gaze Stabilization, and/or 3) Balance Training.
What Should Patients Expect From Vestibular Rehabilitation?
VRT is usually performed on an outpatient basis, although in some cases, the treatment can be initiated in the hospital. Patients are seen by a licensed physical or occupational therapist with advanced post-graduate training.
VRT begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment that should include collecting a detailed history of the patient’s symptoms and how these symptoms affect their daily activities. The therapist will document the type and intensity of symptoms and discuss the precipitating circumstances.
Additionally, information about medications, hearing or vision problems, other medical issues, history of falls, previous and current activity level, and the patient’s living situation will be gathered.
The assessment also includes administering different tests to more objectively evaluate the patient’s problems. The therapist will screen the visual and vestibular systems to observe how well eye movements are being controlled. Testing assesses sensation (which includes gathering information about pain), muscle strength, extremity and spine range of motion, coordination, posture, balance, and walking ability.
A customized exercise plan is developed from the findings of the clinical assessment, results from laboratory testing and imaging studies, and input from patients about their goals for rehabilitation. For example, a person with BPPV may undergo a canal repositioning exercise for the spinning s/he experiences, whereas, someone with gaze instability and dizziness due to vestibular neuritis (a deficit from a weakened inner ear) may be prescribed gaze stability and habituation exercises, and if the dizziness affects their balance this may also include balance exercises.
An important part of the VRT is to establish an exercise program that can be performed regularly at home. Compliance with the home exercise program is essential to help achieve rehabilitation and patient goals.
Along with exercise, patient and caregiver education is an integral part of VRT. Many patients find it useful to understand the science behind their vestibular problems, as well as how it relates to the difficulties they may have with functioning in everyday life. A therapist can also provide information about how to deal with these difficulties and discuss what can be expected from VRT. Education is important for patients because it takes away much of the mystery of what they are experiencing, which can help reduce anxiety that may occur as a result of their vestibular disorder.
Are Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises Difficult To Do?
The exercises are not difficult to learn, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to do!
The exercises can sometimes be tedious; however, committing to doing them is key to helping you achieve success. Setting up a regular schedule so that you incorporate them into your day is very important.
Exercises may, at first, make your symptoms seem worse. But with time and consistent work, your symptoms should steadily improve, and then, you will find that you are able to participate more in the activities of your daily life.
Factors That Can Impact Recovery
When patients participate in VR, different factors can impact the potential for recovery. For example, the type of vestibular disorder affects recovery. Patients that have a stable vestibular disorder, such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, have the best opportunity to have a satisfactory resolution of symptoms. When patients have a progressive vestibular disorder, like with multiple sclerosis, or a fluctuating condition, like with Migraine and Meniere’s, which causes spontaneous attacks of dizziness or vertigo, compensation can be difficult to achieve, and therefore, success with VR is more difficult. There are also differences in response to VR depending on whether you have one or both inner ears involved, or whether the problem lies within the vestibular parts of the brain as opposed to the ear(s).
Tests for Diagnosing
The inner ear’s vestibular organs and the associated nerves and brain centers form a complex system that serve many functions and can be affected by a number of outside systems, such as vision and proprioception (i.e. your muscles and joints). A thorough evaluation of your vestibular function may involve:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Tests of inner ear function
- Hearing tests
- Balance tests
- Vision tests
Treatments
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for vestibular dysfunction. Treatments vary depending on diagnosis, as well as individual factors. Treatments may be aimed at correcting the problem, minimizing symptoms, and/or promoting overall wellness. Some treatments include:
- Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
- Medication
- Surgery
- Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
Frequently Asked Question on Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of therapy designed to alleviate symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance by promoting compensation for inner ear deficits.
Vestibular rehabilitation can benefit individuals suffering from a variety of vestibular disorders, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease.
The duration of vestibular rehabilitation can vary depending on the individual’s specific condition and response to treatment. Some individuals may experience improvement within a few weeks, while others may require several months of therapy
Many health insurance plans cover vestibular rehabilitation, but coverage can vary. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to determine the extent of coverage for vestibular rehabilitation services.
Some individuals may experience temporary increases in symptoms such as dizziness or nausea during the initial stages of vestibular rehabilitation. It’s important to communicate any concerns with your therapist to ensure that exercises are appropriately tailored to your needs.
Vestibular rehabilitation may help improve tolerance to motion and reduce symptoms of motion sickness in some individuals by promoting central nervous system adaptation to vestibular stimuli.
Research has shown that vestibular rehabilitation can be highly effective in reducing symptoms of dizziness and imbalance in individuals with vestibular disorders. It can significantly improve quality of life and functional independence.