If you have a condition or problem that affects your vestibular system, then your doctor might recommend that you have specialised physiotherapy as part of your treatment plan. What is vestibular physiotherapy? What are its advantages?
How Does Vestibular Physiotherapy Work?
Vestibular physiotherapy helps people who have problems with vertigo, dizziness, visual disturbances and balance. At the start of your treatment, your physio will run some assessment tests on you. These tests tell them the nature of your problems and their triggers.
Once your physio understands the scope of your problems, they put together a tailored treatment plan to help you find ways to manage them. Your plan will focus on the areas where you currently have difficulties.
For example, if you have vestibular vision problems, then you might not be able to focus on a stationary object when you move your head. This is known as gaze instability. It can make you feel dizzy and disorientated.
Your physiotherapist can teach you exercises to reduce these problems. They can teach you how to gradually control triggers through eye exercises. Over time, these exercises reprogram your brain. It becomes less sensitive to triggers, so your symptoms should reduce and become more controllable.
This type of physiotherapy typically takes some time. Your physio will make minor changes at the start of your treatment. Once you get used to them, they introduce more challenging exercises.
Why Choose Vestibular Physiotherapy?
While your doctor will work on fixing your vestibular problems, this can take time. In some cases, you might never find a definitive cure. You might be left with residual symptoms that make everyday life challenging and depressing.
Specialist physiotherapy can help you manage both temporary and permanent vestibular problems. Your physio can teach you how to manage your symptoms so that the quality of your life improves.
You will start to learn how to do everyday living and work tasks again. Your life will feel better. You won't have to hide away and avoid activities that trigger your symptoms at the moment. You'll get a confidence boost.
Plus, you might need to take medications at the moment to manage symptoms such as dizziness and nausea. If your vestibular physiotherapy reduces your symptoms, then your doctor might be able to reduce the number of medications you take or lower their dosage. You won't be so dependent on these drugs and won't have to deal with their side effects.
To find out more, contact local physiotherapy clinics and ask if they offer vestibular treatments.