Vestibular rehabilitation, available at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center Princeton Rehabilitation, can help decrease, manage, and eliminate symptoms of these disorders.
“Vestibular disorders are common, and can affect people of any age, although older adults are at greater risk since the inner ear tends to degenerate with age, and, as a result, these individuals can suffer falls and serious injuries,” says Paula Hoffman, PT, DPT, a licensed physical therapist and certified vestibular rehabilitation specialist with Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center Princeton Rehabilitation.
“In fact, more than one out of every four Americans age 65 and over will suffer a fall this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And one in every five of those falls will cause a serious injury, putting the person out of commission and possibly starting spiraling physical decline.” adds Hoffman.
One of the most common vestibular disorders is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is often caused by a head injury or advanced age, although in some cases there is no identifiable underlying cause. Other conditions that can cause vestibular problems include bacterial and viral infections, ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, migraines, Meniere’s disease, middle or inner ear problems, non-malignant tumors, and neck injuries.
Treatments are Available
Symptoms of vestibular disorders may be mild, lasting for only seconds or minutes at a time, or severe, causing problems with bathing, dressing, or simply moving around the house. Not everyone with a vestibular disorder will experience the same symptoms, which are most often brought on by certain head movements, such as turning quickly, bending down, or rolling over to get out of bed.
Occasionally, symptoms will resolve on their own, but when they persist or interfere with your daily routines, physical therapy can help.
“Depending on the cause, treatment for vestibular disorders may include medication, traditional physical therapy techniques to strengthen and tone muscles, balance and gait training, visual tracking exercises, and instruction in activities of daily living to help minimize symptoms,” says Hoffman. “If BPPV is the cause, something called the Epley maneuver can often correct dizziness with a series of sequential head movements.”
At Princeton Rehabilitation, specially trained therapists offer comprehensive testing and treatment for dizziness, vertigo, and loss of balance due to vestibular disorders.
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The goals of vestibular rehabilitation at Princeton Rehabilitation are to:
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For more information about Princeton Rehabilitation, or to find a physical therapist with Princeton Rehabilitation, call 609.853.7840, or visit princetonhcs.org.