Vestibular disorders are difficult to diagnose. It is common for patient to consult 4 or more physicians over a period several years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

WHAT IS VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION?

Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program, designed by a specialty-trained vestibular physical therapist, to improve balance and reduce problems related to dizziness. How is dizziness defined? Dizziness can be described as:

• Feelings of unsteadiness
• Wooziness (swimming feeling in head) Lightheadedness
• Feelings of passing out
• Sensations of moving
• Spinning
• Floating
• Swaying
• Tilting
• Whirling (sensations known as vertigo)

These feelings or sensations can occur when you are standing still, lying down or changing positions. The symptoms can be constant or episodic in nature, only lasting seconds, minutes or hours.

WHO BENEFITS FROM VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION?

Common symptoms that can be helped with vestibular rehabilitation include:

• Dizziness or blurry vision with head movements
• Neck tightness, stiffness and/or pain
• Imbalance or the need to hold onto objects when walking
• Headaches
• Frequent falls
• Generalized “dizziness, wooziness and foggy head” feelings
• Vertigo/spinning

 

At your appointment, a physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and review your medical his-tory. Your assessment will include all or part of the following areas:

• Balance and/or leg strength/flexibility
• Gait (how you walk)
• Visual stability and mobility
• Neck mobility and neck and arm strength
• Positional testing, including an inner ear exam

Bradley Whiteside Rehab • 1225 Broadrick Drive • Dalton, GA 30720