Therapy: Vestibular Therapy
VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION THERAPY
Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program, designed by a specialty-trained vestibular physical therapist, to improve balance and reduce problems related to dizziness. These feelings or sensations can occur when you are standing still, lying down or changing positions. The symptoms can be constant or episodic in nature, only lasting seconds, minutes or hours.
Who benefits from vestibular rehabilitation​
Patients typically referred for vestibular rehabilitation therapy are those diagnosed with dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, Meniere’s syndrome, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), neck-related dizziness and migraines. Other candidates are patients who have had a stroke or brain injury or who frequently fall. Common symptoms that can be helped with vestibular rehabilitation include:
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Dizziness or blurry vision with head movements
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Neck tightness, stiffness and/or pain
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Imbalance or the need to hold onto objects when walking
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Headaches
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Frequent falls
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Generalized “dizziness, wooziness and foggy head” feelings
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Vertigo/spinning
At your appointment, a physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and review your medical history.
Your assessment will include all or part of the following areas:
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Balance and/or leg strength/flexibility
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Gait (how you walk)
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Visual stability and mobility
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Neck mobility and neck and arm strength
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Positional testing, including an inner ear exam
Based on the findings, a plan of care is developed. The goal of your treatment plan is to improve any deficits that were identified. This, in turn, will improve your ability to function in activities of everyday living, reduce your risk for falling and ultimately, improve your quality of life.
OPTIM ORTHOPEDIC VESTIBULAR THERAPY
The road to recovery starts here
What causes dizziness​
Each year, more than 10 million patients visit a physician due to dizziness. It is the most common complaint of patients over the age of 75, but it can occur in patients of any age.
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Dizziness is generally not serious, but is often a sign of a mechanical problem. Dizziness can be due to an inner ear disorder, a side effect of medications, a sign of neck dysfunction, or it can be due to a more serious problem such as a brain or a heart problem.
How is dizziness defined
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Feelings of unsteadiness
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Wooziness (swimming feeling in head)
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Lightheadedness
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Feelings of passing out
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Sensations of moving
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Spinning
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Floating
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Swaying
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Tilting
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Whirling (known as vertigo)
What are the types of exercises I will learn in a vestibular rehabilitation program​
Examples of exercises you might learn include:
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Vision stability training
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Posture training
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Stretching and strengthening exercises
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Balance retraining
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Walking exercises
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Neck mobility/stretching exercises
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General fitness exercises
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Ergonomic training
No two exercise treatment plans are exactly alike. Your exercise program is developed by identifying your deficits. For example, if your symptoms have been linked to an inner ear problem, you will also learn how to do some self-treatment exercises. Continuing an exercise plan at home can help prevent and/or treat new dizziness and balance episodes.
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How successful is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
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Many times, vestibular rehabilitation therapy will be the only treatment needed. Other times, it is a part of the pre-surgery / post-surgery treatment plan. In most cases, if patients continue to perform the exercises they have learned, balance and dizziness problems decrease significantly or completely disappear.
MEET OUR VESTIBULAR THERAPISTS
At our clinic, our sports physical therapists provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention plan for different sports-related injuries. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with all the orthopedic sports therapy services you need. Our staff of experienced therapists is familiar with treating the bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons so you can get back to performing your specific sport.
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To schedule an appointment with an occupational or physical therapist at Optim Orthopedics, contact us at 912.644.5300 (8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.).
#OPTIMistic
Therapy: Vestibular Therapy
ALL OPTIM ORTHOPEDIC LOCATIONS
SAVANNAH
210 East DeRenne Avenue
Savannah, GA 31405
ORTHOPEDICS: 912.644.5300
THERAPY: 912.644.5333
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RINCON
810 Towne Park Dr. Ste. 200
Rincon, GA 31326
ORTHOPEDICS: 912.826.2533
THERAPY: 912.826.2533
RICHMOND HILL
60 Exchange Street
Ste. B1
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
ORTHOPEDICS: 912.999.2072
THERAPY: 912.348.9500
10200 Ford Ave. Ste 105
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
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VIDALIA
1707 Meadows Lane, Suite F Vidalia, GA 30474
ORTHOPEDICS: 912.386.1212
POOLER
101 W. Mulberry Blvd. Ste. 140
Pooler, GA 31407
ORTHOPEDICS: 912.748.5111
THERAPY: 912.348.9500
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BLUFFTON
8201 Pinellas Dr.
Bluffton, SC 29910
ORTHOPEDICS: 843.705.9401
THERAPY: 843.705.9401
HILTON HEAD ISLAND
The Medical Pavilion
25 Hospital Center Blvd., Ste. 100
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
ORTHOPEDICS: 843.305.7717
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STATESBORO
16915 US Hwy. 67 South
Statesboro, GA 30458
ORTHOPEDICS: 912.681.2500
THERAPY: 912.486.2301