Have you ever stood up and felt the world tilt on its axis, or experienced the frightening sensation that the room is spinning around you? If you are currently searching for “what is vestibular therapy,” you are likely looking for answers—and relief—from these disorienting symptoms. What is vestibular therapy, and how can it help you regain your stability?
It is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. At Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in Columbus, OH, helping patients overcome dizziness and balance issues is our specialty. Whether you are dealing with vertigo, imbalance, or gaze instability, our goal is to help you get back to living the life you enjoy without the fear of falling.
Understanding the Vestibular System
To understand the therapy, you first have to understand the system it treats. Your vestibular system includes parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, vestibular disorders can result.
When this system is off, your brain can’t rely on the information it’s receiving from your inner ear. This often results in vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbance, and imbalance. The good news is that the brain is incredibly adaptable. Through specialized balance and gait training, we can retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system correctly.
Signs You Might Need Vestibular Rehabilitation
Many people dismiss dizziness as dehydration or just “getting older,” but persistent symptoms often point to a vestibular issue. You might benefit from this therapy if you experience:
- Vertigo: A spinning sensation, even when you are still.
- Dizziness: A lightheaded or “floating” feeling.
- Imbalance: Stumbling or difficulty walking in a straight line.
- Gaze Instability: Trouble focusing your eyes on objects while your head is moving (like reading a sign while walking).
- Sensitivity to Motion: Feeling sick in cars or busy environments like grocery stores.
If these symptoms sound familiar, our team can help identifying the root cause.
Common Conditions We Treat
Vestibular therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it targets specific conditions. Some of the most common diagnoses we see at our Columbus clinic include:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
This is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged and move into the wrong part of the ear canals. This causes brief but intense episodes of dizziness when you change head positions.
Meniere’s Disease
This is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. While chronic, therapy can help manage the symptoms during flare-ups.
Post-Concussion Syndrome
After a head injury, many patients experience dizziness and balance issues. Our neurological rehab program is specifically designed to address these complex cases, helping the brain recover its ability to balance and focus.
What Happens During a Session?
If you’ve never been to physical therapy for dizziness, you might be wondering what the actual treatment looks like. It is quite different from standard orthopedic therapy for a knee or shoulder.
The Assessment
Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation. Our experts, including Dr. Michael Conte and Dr. Kailey Dotson, will assess your posture, balance, and eye movements. We look at how your legs sense the ground, how your eyes see the horizon, and how your inner ear senses motion.
The Exercises
Based on your assessment, we create a customized plan that may include:
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: If you have BPPV, we use specific head maneuvers (like the Epley maneuver) to guide the calcium crystals back to where they belong. This often provides immediate relief.
- Gaze Stabilization: Exercises designed to improve control of eye movements so your vision remains clear during head movement.
- Habituation Exercises: If you are sensitive to motion, we gently expose you to the movements that cause dizziness in a controlled way, teaching your brain to ignore the error signals.
- Balance Training: Exercises to improve steadiness so you can walk over uneven ground or in the dark without fear.
The Benefits of Seeking Treatment
Living with dizziness is not just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous. The primary goal of vestibular therapy is to improve your quality of life.
- Fall Prevention: Dizziness is a leading cause of falls in older adults. By improving your balance, we significantly reduce this risk.
- Reduced Reliance on Medication: Many patients can stop taking motion sickness medication once their brain has compensated for the vestibular issue.
- Restored Confidence: The fear of a dizzy spell often keeps people from driving, working, or socializing. Therapy gives you the confidence to leave the house again.
Why Choose Fyzical Columbus?
At Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers, we pride ourselves on providing one-on-one care. You are not just a number; you are a neighbor in our Columbus community.
We utilize a proven 4-Phase Recovery Program:
- Pain: We identify the root cause to manage acute symptoms.
- Prevent: We equip you with tools to avoid re-injury or recurring dizzy spells.
- Prime: We help you regain mobility and strength.
- Perform: We get you back to the activities you love, whether that’s sports or playing with grandchildren.
With a 5-star Google rating and a team of highly trained doctors of physical therapy, you can trust that you are in expert hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral for vestibular therapy?
In Ohio, we have Direct Access laws. This means you can schedule an appointment with a physical therapist without a physician’s referral. This allows you to start treatment sooner and find relief faster.
Is the therapy painful?
Generally, no. However, some exercises may temporarily reproduce your symptoms of dizziness so that your brain can learn to adjust. This is a normal part of the process, and your therapist will ensure you are safe and supported throughout.
How long does it take to see results?
For conditions like BPPV, patients often feel relief in just 1 or 2 sessions. For other vestibular issues, you may attend therapy 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks. Everyone heals differently, and your plan will be tailored to your progress.
Does insurance cover this?
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover physical therapy when it is medically necessary. Our office works with most providers to make your care affordable and accessible.
Take the First Step Toward a Balanced Life
You do not have to live with the spinning, the nausea, or the fear of falling. The expert team at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in Columbus, OH, is here to help you regain your footing.
If you are ready to stop the spin and get back to living the life you enjoy, contact us today.