Patients with vestibular disorders are challenged with balance and eye movement problems caused by diseases, conditions or injuries that affect the processing areas involved with the inner ear and brain. Vestibular disorders can significantly impair quality of life. These issues can be caused by several conditions:
Concussion
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
Ménière’s disease
Secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and perilymph fistula.
Superior canal dehiscence
Acoustic neuroma
Ototoxicity
Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome
Mal de débarquement
Vestibular migraine and complications from autoimmune disorders
The Statistics
According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, it has been estimated that as many as 35% of adults over age 40 —approximately 69 million Americans—have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction.(1) BPPV, the most common vestibular disorder, is the cause of approximately 50 percent of dizziness in older people.(2) Overall, vertigo from a vestibular problem accounts for a third of all dizziness and vertigo symptoms reported to health care professionals.(3)
Our Treatments Focus On:
Providing therapies, strategies and exercises to help patients reduce the impact of vertigo and balance issues
Reducing pain, anxiety or stress
Helping patients and their families with education on vestibular issues
Assisting with general health and fitness training and information
The Benefits of Outpatient Vestibular Rehabilitation:
Helps patients learn to better compensate for balance deficits
Reduces feeling of dizziness &decreases fall risk
Allows patients to stay active and perform their normal activities safely
Increases independence (resulting in an improved quality of life)
Improves confidence with mobility
Specialized Services for People with Vestibular Disorders:
Individualized plan of care
Balance coordination activities and therapeutic exercise
Teaching adapted activities of daily living (ADLs)
Home safety education
Fall prevention
Pain management
Positional training
Training on how to walk on multi-level surfaces or stairs
Home exercise program (HEP)
DME (durable medical equipment) training
Balance retraining
Restore head/neck movement
Cognitive testing and retraining
Visual, perceptual and sensory reintegration
Manual therapy
Return to work/sporting activities
Resources:
(1) Agrawal Y, Carey JP, Della Santina CC, Schubert MC, Minor LB. Disorders of balance and vestibular function in US adults. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10): 938-944. (2) Fife TD, Iverson DJ, Lempert T, Furman JM, Baloh RW, Tusa RJ, Hain TC, Herdman S, Morrow MJ, Gronseth GS. Practice parameter: therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurol. 2008;70:2067–2074. (3) Neuhauser HK, Radtke A, von Brevern M et al. Burden of dizziness and vertigo in the community. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(19):2118–2124.