Is Vestibular Therapy Good for you?

Is Vestibular Therapy good for you? How to find out? Well, let’s start with what it is. It is a type of physical therapy that helps to treat conditions that affect balance, coordination, and the inner ear. This therapy is used to treat conditions such as vertigo, dizziness, and unsteadiness caused by issues with the vestibular system. This system helps to control balance, coordination, and eye movements. It can be used to treat both acute and chronic conditions.

Vestibular Therapy for Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular therapy exercises can help to retrain the vestibular system and improve balance, coordination, and inner ear function. These exercises may include movements such as head turns, balance activities, and eye exercises. In addition, vestibular therapy may also help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being, which can be helpful for individuals with vestibular migraine.

Vestibular therapy is recommended for individuals who have conditions that affect their balance, coordination, and inner ear function. Some common conditions that may benefit from vestibular therapy include:

• Vertigo: A sensation of spinning or swaying, which can cause dizziness and unsteadiness.
• Dizziness: A feeling of lightheadedness or unsteadiness.
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): A type of vertigo caused by small crystals in the inner ear.
• Vestibular neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which can cause vertigo and unsteadiness.
• Meniere’s disease: A condition that causes vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
• Concussions: Traumatic brain injuries that can cause vestibular symptoms.

It is important to note that vestibular therapy is not recommended for individuals who have certain medical conditions, such as certain types of cancer, ear infections, or an unstable spinal cord.

Steps in Vestibular Therapy

1. Assessment: The first step in vestibular therapy is to have an assessment done by a physical therapist. The therapist will assess your balance, coordination, and inner ear function. They will also ask you about your symptoms and medical history.
2. Treatment plan: After the assessment, the therapist will develop a treatment plan specifically for you. This plan will include specific exercises and activities designed to improve your vestibular function.
3. Exercises: The exercises will be designed to challenge your balance, coordination, and inner ear function. These exercises may include movements such as head turns, balance activities, and eye exercises.
4. Progress monitoring: The therapist will monitor your progress during therapy and adjust the exercises as needed to ensure that you are getting the best possible treatment.

Benefits of Vestibular Therapy

• Improved balance and coordination by working with the vestibular system. This leads to improved stability and a reduced risk of falls.
• Reduced symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and unsteadiness.
• Improved quality of life

What to Expect

• Frequency: usually two to three times per week depending on the severity of your symptoms
• Duration: Each therapy session lasts about 45 to 60 minutes.
• Home exercises: more than likely your therapist will give you exercises to do at home to help improve your vestibular function.
• Progress: You may notice improvement in your symptoms within a few weeks of starting vestibular therapy, but the length of time it takes to see improvement can vary.

Types of Exercises

The specific exercises used in vestibular therapy may vary depending on the individual’s condition and symptoms, but some common types of exercises include:

• Head turns: This exercise involves turning the head in different directions while maintaining balance. This can help to improve inner ear function and reduce dizziness.
• Balance activities: This can include activities such as walking in a straight line or standing on one foot. These exercises help to improve balance and reduce unsteadiness.
• Eye exercises: These exercises involve moving the eyes in different directions while maintaining balance. This can help to improve eye movements and reduce dizziness.
• Gait training: This type of exercise involves walking, running, or jumping to improve overall balance and coordination.
• Habituation exercises: These exercises involve repeated exposure to movements that trigger vertigo or dizziness. Over time, this can help to reduce the severity of these symptoms.
• Compensation exercises: These exercises involve training the body to respond to stimuli in a way that helps to reduce dizziness and improve overall balance and coordination

My personal experience

It was unfruitful. As my main symptom is lightheadedness and not dizziness. Lightheadedness is a feeling of unsteadiness, as if one is about to faint. It is a feeling of being “floaty” or “unreal”. Dizziness, on the other hand, is a broader term that can encompass a range of sensations, including lightheadedness, vertigo, and unsteadiness. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that involves a sensation of spinning or whirling, as if the surroundings are moving.

I stopped treatment after few sessions as there were no real benefits in my particular case given by my symptoms. Any treatment efficacy depends on each individual, therefore do not be discourage to try and find out if it words for you.

There are always other options to try, be courageous keep trying to find what works for you!