Vestibular Rehab and Balance Training
Do you ever feel dizzy or lightheaded? Do your surroundings seem like they are spinning? Have you fallen recently? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be showing symptoms of vestibular or balance dysfunction. Vestibular dysfunction is created from an insult to the inner ear. When this occurs, balance and eye coordination motions do not work properly and result in falls and/or dizziness.
Some common diagnoses of the inner ear include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neurtitis, Meniere’s disease, perilymph fistula, or superior canal dehiscence. Balance dysfunction can also occur from insults to our muscular, visual, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Symptoms of low blood pressure, weakness from recent surgery, decreased vision, and peripheral neuopathy can cause balance dysfunction.
A simple series of tests can rule out vestibular dysfunction. At Hopp Physical Therapy, your physical therapist will evaluate eye and head movements according to how they react to different environments. If neded, your physical therapist will next conduct a series of tests on a machine called a Balance Master. These tests will challenge your balance and you will receive a detailed report explaining your balance deficits and where improvements can be made.
Anyone who suffers from symptoms such as vertigo/spinning, dizziness/lightheadedness, imbalance, frequent falls, and/or weakness should consider getting an evaluation by your physician or therapist.