Vestibular Dysfunction and Physical Therapy

About 69 million American adults over 40 have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction.

Vestibular dysfunctions can be caused by trauma to the head, infections, aging, or certain medications. Symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, bouncing vision, and unsteadiness. These symptoms typically last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, and they can occur even when you’re sitting down.

The vestibular system works jointly with your eyes and brain to process information from the environment and send it to your muscles to control movements. This system is what allows spatial orientation and proper posture, and it also stabilizes your head and the trunk during movement.

To help you prevent falls and get back to your favorite activities, Dr. David Sudderth wants to share how physical therapy can help with vestibular dysfunction.

How physical therapy can help 

Physical therapy involves a series of exercises that help you learn how to rely less on your vestibular function and more on your other senses to maintain balance. 

During physical therapy sessions, you can expect to do the following exercises:

• Posture and balance exercises 
• Eye and head movement exercises 
• Exercises that make your day-to-day activities easier 
• Manual therapy 

Our physical therapists show you a series of exercises and prescribe you to continue the exercises from home. Consistency is key, so as long as you follow the recommendations of your provider, you should see results.

Other ways you can reduce the severity of your symptoms 

Aside from physical therapy, Dr. Sudderth may also recommend the following to help manage any symptoms of vestibular dysfunction: 

• Treating the underlying cause 
• Quitting cigarettes and nicotine
• Lifestyle changes 
• Surgical intervention 

Dr. Sudderth only recommends surgery as a last resort if other management therapies fail to work.

Get treatment for your vestibular dysfunction

Vestibular dysfunctions can quickly lead to a lower quality of life. Not knowing when the symptoms will strike and whether you’ll lose your balance when walking down the street can be nerve-wracking. 

If you’re currently experiencing symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, we can help you get a diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan that works for you. During your consultation, we’ll look at your medical history, perform a physical, and rule out other possible causes for your vestibular dysfunctions, such as certain medications, low blood pressure, or migraines associated with vertigo.

Contact us to schedule an appointment at our office in Fort Myers, Florida, and get relief from your symptoms as soon as possible.