Balance and Vestibular Therapy

Preferred Physical Therapy has Certified Vestibular Rehab physical therapists who provide specialized treatment for dizziness and balance dysfunction.

Vestibular is the medical term for the inner ear. It is a key source of signals regulating balance. These signals travel from the inner ear to the brain and then out to the muscles and joints that control your physical movements. Signals from other parts of the brain as well as from eyes, muscles and joints also contribute to balance. These signals all converge in the brain stem where they are sorted out and mobilized as instructions that travel along motor-nerve fibers ending in your muscles. The muscles enable your head and neck, eyes, legs and the rest of your body to move in such a way that you maintain balance and a clear vision while you are moving. Our specially trained therapists will design your unique program to reduce dizziness, improve balance, and improve the general quality of life with vestibular dysfunction.

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Commonly Treated Conditions Include:

Vertigo and dizziness
Imbalance, difficulty walking or turning a corner
Nausea, ear pain
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to change in walking surface or footwear
Core hip weakness
Trouble focusing vision
Difficulty concentrating
Forgetfulness
Discomfort in busy visual environments, i.e., traffic, crowds, stores
Hearing loss
Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing in ear)
Sensitivity to loud noises
Anxiety, panic, depression

Physical Therapy Treatments

There are many different kinds of physical therapy. Some are passive, that is, done to the patient; others actively engage the patient in physical movement.

Passive Physical Therapy for Balance

Canalith repositioning
Activity modification
Education

Active Physical Therapy for Balance

Balance training
Strength training
Core strengthening
Gait training
Flexibility training
Activities of daily living
Visual tracking exercise
Proprioceptive training

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The Preferred PT Difference

More Board Certified Experts

Experience high-quality care from a team you can trust.

Specialty-Level Care

Target your discomfort at the source with a customized treatment plan.

State-of-the-art Facilities

Experience cutting-edge treatment from compassionate therapists.

Frequently Asked Questions

A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:
1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.
If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.
During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

Have more questions? Contact Us