What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of therapy designed to treat disorders of the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. This therapy focuses on alleviating symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and coordination difficulties that result from vestibular dysfunction. By using a combination of exercises and techniques tailored to the individual’s specific condition and needs, vestibular rehabilitation helps improve the brain's ability to process and respond to sensory information from the vestibular system.
The therapy typically includes exercises for gaze stabilization, habituation, and balance training. Gaze stabilization exercises aim to improve visual focus during head movements, while habituation exercises reduce dizziness through controlled exposure to movements that trigger symptoms. Balance training enhances overall stability and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. Vestibular rehabilitation is often used to treat conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and balance problems associated with head injuries or aging. By addressing the specific deficits of each patient, vestibular rehabilitation promotes better balance, reduced dizziness, and improved quality of life.
