Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)is a type of physical therapy that targets the inner ear and brain to restore balance and dizziness for people who need it. While most people may familiar with it, if you’re dealing with problems like vertigo, migraines that affect your balance, or anything similar, you should visit an otolaryngologist or (ENT) and ask them about VRT.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Is a Type of Physical Therapy
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a form of physical therapy that addresses the symptoms of vestibular disorders. The vestibular system is essentially the parts of your inner ear and the parts of your brain they connect to. This system helps control balance and proper movement of the eye.
You can develop a vestibular disorder if you’ve suffered an injury to these parts of the ear or brain. While there’s a range of disorders that fall under this umbrella, there are some common issues that people deal with that VRT can also at least alleviate.
Habituation, Balance Training, and Gaze Stabilization are three of the most common methods used for VRT. Not only does VRT include performing exercises with these methods, but the therapist will also perform tests to see where your vestibular weakness lies and how far it has advanced.
Diagnoses VRT Can Help With
Doctors may recommend VRT as a useful therapy to treat several conditions. Let’s explore some of these.
Vertigo
Vertigo can be caused by a number of root issues, including the ones mentioned below. However, since this is a symptom associated with many different medical concerns, it can be treated in and of itself with VRT. However, there are some cases and kinds of vertigo that may need other kinds of intervention as well.
Since vertigo and it’s more serious kind, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) comes from some kind of malfunction in the communication between the inner ear and brain; VRT can help reprogram how that communication happens. This allows the patient to reorient themselves.
Migraines
Migraines are an experience that many adults have at least one time. Migraines are not just painful but are often characterized as causing dizziness, imbalance, nausea, and light sensitivity. Chronic vestibular migraines, in which blood flow to the vestibular section of the brain is restricted, will cause these symptoms in excess.
VRT will work here, much like with vertigo, to retrain our body in balancing itself.
Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear syndrome in which hearing and balance are affected due to factors like genetics, immune responses, poor fluid drainage, or a viral. Pressure in the ear, tinnitus (ringing sounds in the ear), and imbalance are common symptoms of this. VRT can help compensate for the damage in the vestibular system because of it.
Patients who suffer from many of these conditions can find relief through our physical therapy services in Houston, TX. After you consult with your ENT, talk to our Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy experts about your treatment plan and how you can find relief at our hospital in Houston, Texas. Or schedule a visit with a physical therapist at one of our many locations in the Houston area.