What to Expect From Vestibular and Balance Physical Therapy

 

What is a Vestibular Disorder?

Many people complain of dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness, and balance issues. Various causes may lead to these effects, but the majority are affected by a disorder with a portion of the inner ear and the brain that controls coordination and eye movements. This is known as the vestibular system. Vestibular dysfunction may develop if this mechanism is damaged by illness or injury.

What to Expect From Vestibular and Balance Physical Therapy

As a physical therapist who helps patients with dizziness and coordination deficits, I've noticed that many people are uncertain what to think when they go to physical therapy (PT) for these conditions. Due to the lack of exposure to this particular treatment and how it works, people usually come to their first session with fear. Well, let's see what we can do to answer some of your questions and have a clearer picture of what will happen in PT.

Why do we get dizzy?

There are so many reasons! Here are some of the reasons are:

• Concussions

• Tumours may occur on rare occasions.

• Strokes in the cerebellum (a region of the brain).

• Meniere's Disease is a fluid disorder in the inner ear.

• Loose calcium deposits in the inner ear cause inner ear dysfunction.

• Loose calcium deposits in the inner ear cause inner ear dysfunction. This is known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).

Any of these problems requires a unique management strategy. These are motions designed to push calcium crystals out of the canals, and others are designed to get the brain used to and less sensitive to dizzying movements. That is why it is necessary to cooperate with both the doctor and physical therapist to improve your progress and begin the process of discovering your specific situation.

What's causing it?

The initial evaluation's goal is to understand the nature of your dizziness better. Physical therapists may assist with determining what the cause is and how can alleviate the symptoms. To determine the cause and classify the most unstable processes, the therapist will perform an ocular analysis, motion response testing, postural perception testing, and dynamic equilibrium testing. Positional examination in the inner ear is often used to determine whether there are any loose crystalline bodies in the canals. To summarize, people vary, and so does their dizziness. So the first visit, and perhaps the second or third, is intended to provide a clearer understanding of the issue’s essence.

Will my psychiatrist render me dizzy because I dislike getting dizzy?

The approach to resolving an issue implies that we can exaggerate the effects to explain the underlying cause. Unfortunately, this means that people can feel dizziness in PT at times. It is often recommended that an individual prepare for a few minutes of rest after their first PT appointment, such as sitting or lying down with their eyes closed for 10 minutes before leaving the clinic. It is also advisable not to drive for the rest of the first day. Get a friend or a taxi driver ready! After the issue and causes are identified, the good news is that the doctor and patient will collaborate to develop a recovery plan that allows for gradual and tolerable change toward greater life involvement and less pain. As for all PT, the patient should feel better over time, and the dizziness caused in the clinic should diminish steadily.

How long would it take to make me feel better?

It depends! As I'm sure you've guessed by now, different problems need different amounts of time to recover. A person who had undergone a stroke can take months to recover from, while other types of BPPV can heal with one to two visits. It is entirely up to the person. Anyone with questions or a desire to live a life free of dizziness should contact their doctor or therapist.

At Kanata Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Clinic, you will be seen by a Physiotherapist trained explicitly in vestibular rehabilitation. To book an appointment with a Physiotherapist specialized in the assessment and treatment of vertigo, dizziness, balance problems, BPPV or any other inner ear condition, please call us and request an appointment for Vestibular Rehabilitation.