What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy?
Vestibular physiotherapy is also known as vestibular rehabilitation. It is an exercise based program designed to improve symptoms such as dizziness, disorientation and balance issues. The main focus of vestibular physiotherapy is to retrain the vestibular system through repeated exposure to specific movement or visual stimulus. These exercises include balance training, relaxation techniques, neck and breathing exercises.
Who Would Benefit From Vestibular Physiotherapy?
An astonishing 35% of adults over the age of 40 experience some for of vestibular dysfunction. This includes dizziness, balance issues and Vertigo. Vestibular physiotherapy can also benefit individuals with conditions such as vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s Disease and concussion. Improvements have also been seen in individuals with head trauma, stroke or neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis.
What Can You Expect During Treatment?
First Appointment:
At your first appointment, your physiotherapist will have an in depth discussion with you regarding your condition and symptoms. Your medical history, medications and lifestyle will be discussed. This is all information that can help to determine a treatment plan. Lifestyle changes can sometimes make a big difference to your management of symptoms.
Following this discussion, your physiotherapist will begin to test your balance, reflexes and ocular motor proficiency (the connection between your ears and eyes).
Once these are done your physiotherapist will perform manoeuvres if they deem them necessary and will give you a home exercise plan (HEP). There will be some time at the end of your appointment for you to ask questions to clarify your treatment plan. It is important to undertake these exercises as shown by your physiotherapist as repetition of exercises helps to retrain the brain in a positive way.. If you are unsure of anything, or if you have more questions once you get home, get in touch with the clinic. They will be happy to provide extra reassurance or can send you links of the exercises to refresh your memory of how to undertake them. Your physiotherapist may recommend some lifestyle changes to determine whether certain factors are responsible for your symptoms.
Follow up Appointments
At your follow up appointments you will provide feedback to the physiotherapist and you will also be retested to assess your progression so far. Again, any manoeuvres deemed appropriate will be undertaken and a new set of HEP will be demonstrated and prescribed. These exercises may be completely new or a more advanced version of the ones you were previously given. You and your physiotherapist will be working together at all times to implement a treatment plan that works best for you and your lifestyle.
How To Prepare For Your Appointment For Vestibular Physiotherapy?
It is recommended that patients do not take any medication pertaining to their vestibular condition the day of the appointment. Medication can mask or alleviate the symptoms and can give an incorrect reading to the physiotherapist.
Be well rested and sufficiently hydrated. Dehydration can exacerbate symptoms which again can give a false reading to your physiotherapist.
Have someone available to drive you home. Due to the nature of the treatments it is not advisable to drive yourself home after your appointment.
What Is The Next Step?
The next step in your vestibular physiotherapy journey is to book your appointment with a Vestibular Physiotherapist BOOK HERE
If you would like to find out more about how Vestibular Physiotherapy can help you, feel free to get in touch Contact Us