Explore how this specialized treatment helps people to regain balance and conquer vertigo.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is a treatment for balance disorders. It can help support people who are experiencing vertigo and dizziness.

The vestibular system is part of the inner ear structure that helps with balance and stability. It helps you perceive and adjust which way your head is moving and how fast, and then helps your eyes and body adjust accordingly.

If your vestibular system is off, you may experience dizziness. Experiencing dizziness and balance issues has been linked to a higher likelihood of falling.

There are many causes of chronic dizziness and imbalance, including nerve disease (neuropathy), high or low blood pressure, decreased vision, and others. Dizziness that’s related to the vestibular system is usually accompanied by vertigo, which is a sense of spinning.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is highly personalized and dependent on the cause and symptoms. It involves exercises and activities that aim to strengthen the body’s ability to maintain stability and adjust to movements.

There are different types of exercises and movements as part of VRT. The exercises you may do are guided by the cause and the symptoms. Some of the exercises you may do in VRT are:

  • Repositioning maneuvers: Specific head movements are used to move displaced crystals in the inner ear.
  • Habituation exercises: These gradually expose you to positions or movements that trigger dizziness, allowing your brain to adapt and reduce the sensation.
  • Gaze stability training: Exercises to improve your ability to keep your eyes focused while moving your head or body.
  • Balance retraining: Exercises to improve your ability to maintain balance in different situations and on various surfaces.
  • Other exercises: May include eye movements, head movements, and balance exercises with and without support.

People who may benefit from VRT include:

  • Folks with vertigo, Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraine, or other vestibular disorders
  • People who have recently had a concussion or a stroke
  • Older adults at risk of falls
  • Anyone experiencing balance issues and dizziness

Physical therapists largely implement vestibular rehabilitation exercises, but the overall goal is for patients to return to activities of daily living (ADL); an occupational therapist may also utilize vestibular treatments.

When you go to your first appointment, the physical therapist will do an initial evaluation, and then you will set goals together.

VRT can help you improve your balance and avoid falls if you are having problems with dizziness, balance, or vertigo.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it is important to get a medical evaluation, and your doctor might prescribe VRT.