Patients referred to Hendrick Balance Center typically have at least one
or more of the following complaints:
Dizziness
Vertigo
Unsteadiness
Falls
Weakness
Jumpy vision
Sudden hearing loss
These complaints may be categorized as symptoms of a balance disorder.
A balance disorder may indicate a problem with the balance system, vestibular
system, or both.
About the Balance System
This is a term that is loosely used to refer to the body's entire ability
to maintain balance. It is appropriate to realize the body actually has
several systems that help maintain balance.
The three main systems of balance are:
Vision - "eyes"
Vestibular - "ears"
Somatosensory (proprioception) - "feet"
About the Vestibular System
This refers to the balance portion of the body located in the inner ear.
It consists of a network of tubes (semicircular canals) that are filled
with fluid. There are tiny hairs within these structures that are bent
by the flow of fluid. The hairs are actually bundles of sensory cells.
Stimulating these cells causes messages to be sent to the brain via the
vestibular nerve. This tells the brain about changes in head position.
This system allows you to maintain your balance and vision when moving.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
What is balance?
Balance is the ability to keep your body upright. This is a complex system
that requires many parts of the body including your eyes, ears (vestibular
system), feet (somatosensory proprioceptive systems). Dysfunction can
be caused in any of these components due to injury, disease, or aging,
which can give rise to dizziness and/or imbalance.
What is dizziness?
Dizziness is defined as feelings of unsteadiness; wooziness (swimming feeling
in head); light-headedness; and sensations of moving, spinning, floating,
swaying, tilting, or whirling.
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based program designed by a physical
therapist to improve balance and reduce dizziness-related problems. The
goal of this program is to improve your ability to perform functional
activities specific to your life and reduce your risk of fall or injury.
Who could benefit from vestibular rehabilitation?
Diagnoses: dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal
positional vertigo (BPPV). Symptoms: dizziness or blurry vision with head
movements, vertigo/spinning sensations, neck tightness/stiffness and/or
pain, imbalance, need to hold onto objects when walking, headaches, frequent falls
What to expect
The physical therapist will complete an evaluation to determine a treatment
plan. Some patients may be seen for only one or two sessions, other patients
may need continued treatment for a few months. Each program is individualized
based on patient specific goals, severity of symptoms, and response to therapy.
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