Professionally reviewed by Steve Vandenberg, PT, DPT, Manager, Outpatient Neurorehabilitation, on 06/20/2023.
Many people experience dizziness or balance problems at some point in their life. A large percentage of these cases are caused by an imbalance or loss within the inner ear. Good Shepherd’s Vestibular Therapy Program is designed to effectively relieve the symptoms of inner ear disorders, such as positional vertigo and imbalance.
Our goal is to help reduce the symptoms of dizziness while maximizing your independence.
What is Vestibular Therapy?
Vestibular therapy is an exercise based treatment program with follow-up sessions geared towards improving inner ear function and overall balance function. The primary goals of vestibular therapy are to improve gaze stability, which is the ability to see clearly during head movement, improve daily activities and balance and abolish vertigo, if present.
Conditions Treated by Vestibular Therapy
- Aging
- Allergies
- Autoimmune inner ear disease
- Exposure to ototoxins
- Head trauma
- Vertigo
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Migraines
- Neck problems
What Does Vestibular Therapy Involve?
Vestibular therapy is an individualized treatment approach to address dizziness, imbalance, movement impairments and vertigo. Vestibular therapy can incorporate specialized technology including infrared video goggles and immersive virtual computerized programming but also can be administered with handheld tools to improve balance, dynamic visual acuity, which is blurriness in vision while moving head or body, balance confidence and fear of falling.
Therapy can include repositioning maneuvers for vertigo, dynamic head movement training to improve dizziness and static and dynamic balance training with various balance equipment.
Vestibular Therapy Team
Vestibular therapy is integrated into health professional practice by specialized physicians, audiologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists. The needs of the patient determines what providers will be utilized.
What to Expect
Upon entering the Vestibular Therapy Program, you will answer questions about positions or functions that influence your dizziness. Your neck motion will be checked, and you may undergo a “motion sensitivity test” that involves rating the intensity of your dizziness on a scale of zero to five in various positions (such as lying on your back or side). Your balance and walking ability also will be evaluated.
Request an Appointment
Vestibular therapy is available at more than 20 Good Shepherd outpatient locations. For more information or to request an appointment, call 1.888.44.REHAB (73422) or fill out the form below.