Three physical therapy treatments for vestibular disorders

Vestibular disorders develop when the communication between your brain and inner ear are interrupted by an injury or chronic condition. This often results in imbalance, dizziness and an inability to focus on a single object. These symptoms make it difficult to accomplish many tasks in your daily life, even walking or getting dressed.

Many vestibular disorders cannot be cured, but treatments can help people manage the symptoms and live a functional life. One treatment method that helps many people is physical therapy.

Take a look below at some of the methods physical therapists use to treat vestibular disorders:

1. Habituation

Many vestibular disorders cause dizziness when you’re exposed to motion or when looking at moving objects. Physical therapists can help you improve your stability when exposed to motion with habituation exercises.

Habituation exercises involve exposing you to motion and visual stimulations that cause dizziness. This is done in small increments in a controlled environment to help you build up your resistance to dizziness. Over time, your physical therapist will ramp up the difficulty of the exercises until your brain learns to distinguish the difference between normal signals and the abnormal signals related to your vestibular disorder. 

2. Gaze stabilization

Some vestibular disorders disrupt your ability to focus on still objects. These objects appear to be moving or are warped in appearance. 

Physical therapists use gaze stabilization techniques to help your brain focus on still objects without confusing them for moving objects. Often, gaze stabilization includes moving your head around while focusing on either a still or moving object. The distance of the object and the speed of its motion when it’s moving varies as you progress in your treatment. Eventually, your brain should learn how to focus on an object on its own. 

3. Therapeutic exercise

Physical therapists can guide you through exercises and stretches to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles in your abdomen, back and legs. Improving the condition of these muscles provides better stability for your body. This can help you remain standing when a flare-up of a vestibular disorder strikes. 

Visit Advent Physical Therapy for vestibular disorder treatment

If dizziness and imbalance are affecting your ability to live your daily life, you may need physical therapy for treatment. Our team at Advent Physical Therapy can help you overcome the challenges created by your vestibular disorder. Contact our team today for more information about vestibular disorder treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.