Feeling dizzy?  Sometimes a person needs a little extra help to increase their stability, get rid of dizziness, or walk with more confidence.  Dizziness or instability can affect those of all ages or backgrounds.  Many age-related factors contribute to this dizziness and instability including postural changes, medications, poor vision, and vertigo (a feeling of spinning).  Physical therapy can help one return to desired activities comfortably.



Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation is a comprehensive approach to treating patients with complaints of dizziness, vertigo, balance deficits, and motion sensitivity.  Vestibular rehabilitation can help to reduce the risk of falls by strengthening the arms, legs, and core musculature, which improves the effectiveness of the sensory systems, increases your endurance, and improves flexibility.  

Licensed physical therapists with specialty training in vestibular health will evaluate a patient’s specific needs and develop an individualized treatment plan to address those needs.  A vestibular evaluation includes a subjective history of symptoms, cervical spine assessment, ocularmotor testing, balance testing, gait assessment, positional testing, and motion sensitivity testing.  Treatments can include canal repositioning maneuvers, habituation exercises, instruction in compensatory strategies, exercises to improve gaze stability, instruction in home modifications, and manual treatment of the neck. 

Common signs and symptoms of patients appropriate for vestibular rehabilitation include the following:

• Positional vertigo
• Dizziness
• Unexplained falls
• Feeling unbalanced
• Gait instability
• Wooziness
• Motion sensitivity
• Nausea related to movement
• Visual disturbances
• Cervical spine disorders

Balance Training

Balance training can also improve your vestibular health.  Here are some ways to incorporate balance training into your workout:

• When walking on a treadmill, read a magazine or book.  This decreases your ability to use visual input for balance by transferring your focus to what you are reading.
• When lifting weights, narrow your base of support by putting your feet together, standing tandem (heel to toe), or lifting one foot.  This technique also helps to prevent the use of momentum when lifting weights.
• When standing and lifting weights, try turning your head right to left between repetitions.
• A strong core is essential to improve balance.  When challenging balance, one must have good core strength to maintain their center of gravity over their feet—a tree with large, strong branches but a thin weak trunk will fall in a wind storm.

Home Modifications
There are many things one can do to feel safer and more stable at home and in the community.  Home modifications to reduce one’s risk of falls may include the following:

• Proper lighting
• Tacking down loose carpets
• Reducing clutter
• Marking changes in surfaces
• Raising toilet seats
• Installing grab bars in a bath tub or shower

If you have further questions and concerns about balance and vestibular health, AthletiCo has specialists in vestibular rehabilitation who treat patients with complaints of dizziness, balance deficits, and motion sensitivity.  Contact your doctor or physical therapist to find out if you are a good candidate.

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