Vestibular rehabilitation

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular Rehabilitation (pronunciation: ves-ti-byoo-lar ree-huh-bil-i-tey-shuhn) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It is an exercise-based program primarily designed to reduce vertigo and dizziness, gaze instability, and/or imbalance and falls.

Etymology

The term "Vestibular Rehabilitation" is derived from the word "vestibulum" which is Latin for entrance or inner hall, and "rehabilitation" which is derived from the Latin "rehabilitare", meaning to restore to a former capacity.

Related Terms

• Vestibular System: The sensory system that provides the leading contribution to the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance.
• Vestibular Disorders: Disorders of the body's balance (vestibular) system in the inner ear.
• Vertigo: A sensation of feeling off balance, often marked by a feeling of spinning, tilting, or loss of balance.
• Physical Therapy: A branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is an exercise-based program designed to promote central nervous system compensation for inner ear deficits. VRT can be performed in an outpatient physical therapy setting or at home.

Treatment

The treatment in Vestibular Rehabilitation involves exercises designed to:

• Reduce vertigo and visual symptoms.
• Improve balance and walking ability.
• Increase general activity levels.

The exercises involve head movement, and movement and visual stimulation which might initially make the symptoms seem worse. But over time, the brain adjusts, relying less on the inner ear to maintain balance.

See Also

• Balance Disorder
• Dizziness
• Meniere's Disease
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Vestibular rehabilitation
• Wikipedia's article - Vestibular rehabilitation

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