Suffering from Vertigo? Vestibular Physiotherapy can Help!
Neck and body muscle tones are handled by the vestibular system. The stabilized eyes are just because of this crucial system while our head is moving. Our normal functions are followed by the vestibular system and if it is not working, then the result is imbalanced life with the feelings of dizziness. It is grinding to think about how you can spend an imbalanced life. Don’t worry! Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy or Physiotherapy for Vertigo is the solution.
At Evergreen Rehab and Wellness we have a Registered Physiotherapist that can help you with Vestibular Rehabilitation to get relief from dizziness and improve balance and mobility. Remember, if you’re suffering from Vertigo, our Physiotherapist is here to help you.
Where is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear of the human body.
Several structures and tracts constitute the vestibular system but the main interconnected compartments are found in the inner ear, called the vestibular labyrinth. The vestibular system consists of three semicircular canals (responsible for rotational movements) and two otolith organs (responsible for linear accelerations), providing the leading contribution to the sense of balance.
If a person faces the problem with the vestibular system then it is advised to seek medical help. Physiotherapy is the best cure to this problem because the smooth, gentle, and non-forcing touches are sometimes better than the different medical equipment.
- Strengthen neck muscles
- Manual Therapy, to ensure joints are moving well
- Myofascial Release Techniques, To ensure good mobility of the surrounding soft tissue
Vestibular Issues
This refers to vestibular problems involving dizziness and lack of proper balance.
Want to book an appointment at Evergreen Rehab and Wellness Clinic? Call us at 604-449-5859 to find the best solution. We will help you to enjoy a painless and healthy lifestyle.
What is Vertigo?
The most common medical complaint, vertigo, is described as the spinning sensation or the feeling of dizziness. The vestibular nerve serves as the connection of the inner ear and brain. When this connection has some problem, then vertigo occurs. It is better to get medical advice as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms of vertigo. Lightheadedness is not enlisted in vertigo. The most common types of vertigo are;
- Objective – Spinning sensation of stationery objects
- Subjective – Feeling dizziness and movement
- Pseudo vertigo – Intensive rotation under the head
The effective way of treating this complex condition is physiotherapy.
What are the Causes of Vertigo?
It is important to undergo a comprehensive assessment and establish the exact cause of vertigo to get the best possible outcome of physiotherapy. This assessment can also ask for certain tests to confirm the condition. Most of the cases last for a short time but sometimes, this complex condition can become an ongoing problem, unfortunately. Vertigo can be caused by the following reasons;
- Acoustic Neuroma
- Inner Ear Infection
- Vestibular Migraines
- Vestibular Neuritis (Vestibular nerve inflammation)
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Acute Peripheral Vestibulopathy (APV)
- Labyrinthitis
- Meniere Disease
- Head Injury
What are the Symptoms of Vertigo?
Other than dizziness and spinning sensations, there are other several potential symptoms of vertigo including;
- Postural instability
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lower level of consciousness
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss
- Fatigue
- Difficulties in walking
- Anxiety
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nystagmus (unintentional eye movement)
- Standing or walking unsteadily
- Giddy feeling
How is Vertigo Diagnosed?
There are different ways enlisted under diagnosing vertigo but it is better to undergo several tests to confirm the condition and cause to make the treatment effective. Tests may include;
- Recording the history of symptoms
- Taking tests of balance
- Dix-Hallpike maneuver
- Hearing test
- Rotation tests
- Blood test
- Head-thrust tests
- Caloric reflex tests
- Electronystagmography
How can Physiotherapy Help with Vertigo?
- Reduce walking and standing difficulties
- Improve Balance
- Rapid improvement
- Reduction in the spinning sensations and dizziness feelings
- Minimize headaches
- Regain hearing
- Improved level of consciousness
- Reduction in the episodes of vertigo
What Physiotherapy Used to Treat Vertigo?
The selection of physiotherapy treatment depends upon the severity of vertigo and symptoms. The physiotherapists first examine the condition by considering the different factors and then refer one of the following physiotherapy treatments for vertigo;
- Balance retraining
- Repositioning techniques: This technique is specially designed to treat BPPV, which includes head maneuver procedures to treat vertigo.
- Balance and gait exercises: This treatment treats the vestibular balance systems to regain confidence and balance while walking.
- Eye-head coordination exercises: This treats the symptoms of dizziness.
- Habituation exercises: These exercises involve the specific movements which treat the symptoms of dizziness.
- Neck mobilizations
- Activity adaptation advice
Want to book an appointment at Evergreen Rehab and Wellness Clinic? Call us at 604-449-5859 to find the best solution. We will help you to enjoy a painless and healthy lifestyle.
Our Physiotherapists
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are several symptoms of vertigo that can get confused with other symptoms. For instance, dizziness is the symptom of vertigo as well as lightheadedness. On the other hand, stroke can be the neurological symptom but it is also referred to as the vestibular problem.
Highly-skilled and trained physiotherapists treat vestibular disorders to bring the person back to normal life. It is proven that physiotherapy improves balances by increasing general activity levels. Physiotherapy is also beneficial for decreasing the dizziness feeling.
In the first days, the patient may feel dizziness more and find it growing to the worse but it will be because of the exercises that are not suitable for the current condition.
The time depends upon the severity of the condition and symptoms. Vestibular rehabilitation constitutes a set of exercises that treats vestibular disorders. Most possibly, there are 52 sets i.e. twice per day for three weeks or vice versa. Mostly, 30% of the patients recover after 30 sets.
For young children, it is impossible to get vestibular problems. At the age of 20 and onwards, the person can establish the symptoms of vertigo.
Several types of vertigo require surgical procedures to get corrected. For instance, Meniere’s disease doesn’t respond to medical procedures so the patient has to undergo surgical treatment.
An ideal sleeping position to lessen the vertigo is sleep at your back. This position balances the calcium deposit in the inner ear canals. Sleeping at the back also prevents the Meniere’s disease that is caused by perilymph fluid leak.