Vestibular Physical Therapy

Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat is proud to offer on-site vestibular physical therapy. Vestibular therapy is a form of physical therapy that can help you manage symptoms of dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo (the sensation that you or the surroundings are moving when they are not). There are many causes of dizziness, and before seeing the physical therapist, your ENT will do a thorough examination and order appropriate tests. These may include an MRI of the brain, audiogrom (hearing test), or VNG testing. Sometimes dizzy patients will also need to be evaluated by a neurologist. Depending on the cause of your dizziness, your ENT may refer you for a course of vestibular physical therapy.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy may help people with conditions including:

• Benign paroxysmal postural vertigo (BPPV)
• Meniere’s disease
• Labyrinthitis
• Vestibular neuritis
• Falling risk
• Chronic imbalance

Depending on your diagnosis and your individual capabilities, each vestibular physical therapy session will be tailored to your needs. During a session, your physical therapist may perform various maneuvers, teach you exercises to be continued at home, and assist you with strengthening, stretching, and ambulation.

Vestibular physical therapy will usually continue for 6-8 weeks, depending on the severity of your dizziness as well as other factors. Some patients may need only one to two sessions and then do well with continued exercises at home. Older patients or those with multiple medical conditions may require vestibular therapy for several months.

Vestibular physical therapy can help you reduce or completely eliminate your dizziness and balance issues, decrease your risk of falling, and improve your quality of life.