What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?

Vestibular rehabilitation is a type of treatment involving exercises and manipulation techniques to manage and control the dizziness and balance problems associated with disorders of the inner ear.

What is the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system is the part of the inner ear and brain that helps control eye movements and balance.  It helps us avoid getting dizzy when looking at a moving train or when driving a car.  In addition, the vestibular system helps to maintain balance and prevents us from falling.  When injury or disease damages the inner ear or brain, vestibular disorders can result.

Who May Benefit?

Those with a diagnosis of:

• Positional vertigo, Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPV) or 
                       Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Meniere's disease or endolymphatic hydrops
• Infections of the inner ear, such as labyrinthitis and 
     vestibular neuronitis
• Perilymph fistula
• Acoustic neuroma 
• Inner ear concussion syndrome (head trauma)
• Stroke
• Brain injury

Symptoms:

 - Vertigo
 - Dizziness
 - Ringing or noise in the ear(s)
 - Pressure or fullness in the ear(s)
 - Unsteadiness or imbalance when walking
   (tendency to veer to the side)
 - Nausea

These symptoms may be mild, lasting seconds to minutes - or quite severe, resulting in total disability.

Causes:

 - Blows to the head and whiplash
 - Ear infections
 - Viruses
 - High doses or long term use of certain antibiotics
 - Decreased or blocked blood flow to the inner ear or
   the brain
 - Tumors
 - Degeneration due to aging
 - Factors still unknown

Scope of Services:

 - A complimentary screening to assess dynamic gait,
   balance and vertigo
 - A comprehensive evaluation for those individuals
   admitted to the program
 - An individualized exercise program and treatment
   plan

Evaluation and Treatment:

 - Physical assessment and general conditioning
 - Eye-head coordination (gaze stability)
 - Static and dynamic balance (postural stability)
 - Functional ambulation
 - Computerized balance testing/training using the
   Balance Master (Neurocom)
 - Positional Vertigo assessment and treatment
   (habituation exercises and maneuvers)

Specialized Team:

The Dizziness and Balance Institute is staffed by a team of physical and occupational therapists who are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation.  The team maintains ongoing communication with the individual's physician throughout the rehabilitation program.

If you would like to schedule a complimentary screening, make a referral or receive additional information, please call 561-865-3212, Centralized scheduling 561-495-9266 or toll free: 877-257-9955.