Vestibular Rehabilitation

Name: PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness
Price range: $

Nearly half of the adult population reports symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance.

Understanding Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of therapy that aims to address disorders and conditions affecting the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. While specific treatment approaches may vary depending on the individual's condition and the healthcare provider's expertise, here are some common components of vestibular treatment:

General conditioning
Functional training
Ocular motor exercises
Gaze stabilization
Adaptation exercises
Habituation exercises
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) maneuvers
Balance exercises

PhysioFit's unique therapy programs can help you reduce or eliminate these symptoms. In addition, we will teach you how to independently manage your condition for the long term. Our effective holistic approach consists of:

Evaluation and Assessment:

Individualized Exercise Program:

Habituation Exercises:

Gait & Balance Training:

Education and Lifestyle Modifications:

Progress Monitoring:

Signs & Symptoms

Dizziness
Blurred vision
Disorientation
Feeling Off-Balance
Feeling as if you are floating
Feeling as if the world is spinning (Vertigo)
Falling or Stumbling
Brain Fog
Hearing Loss
Nausea
Motion Sickness

Vestibular disorders we treat with Vestibular rehabilitation?

Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma, is a significant yet noncancerous growth that emerges on the protective covering of the vestibulocochlear nerve within the inner ear. This nerve, commonly referred to as the acoustic nerve, plays a crucial role in transmitting both auditory and balance signals to the brain. With the progressive enlargement of an acoustic neuroma, it exerts pressure on the vestibulocochlear nerve, typically resulting in symptoms such as hearing impairment, tinnitus, and episodes of dizziness or unsteadiness.

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

When a virus invades the body, the immune system springs into action to protect it. However, there are instances when the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly identifies the body's own cells as foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria. This phenomenon is known as autoimmunity. Autoimmunity can lead to the immune system attacking various parts of the body, including the ear. When the immune system targets the ear specifically, it is referred to as autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). The damage and functional deterioration caused by AIED can occur swiftly, with the progression being rapid.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

CANVAS Syndrome

CANVAS is an acronym that helps remember a combination of three conditions: cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia. It is very rare to find patients with all three of these conditions together. CANVAS patients experience problems with coordination (cerebellar ataxia), damage to peripheral nerves (neuropathy), and loss of vestibular function (vestibular areflexia). Each of these conditions individually affects balance, but when they occur together, balance disturbances become more severe.

Cervicogenic Dizziness

Neck pain and dizziness often occur together, but it can be challenging to determine if they are connected or simply coincidental. While true spinning vertigo is uncommon in this syndrome, a more precise term for it is "cervicogenic dizziness." However, diagnosing cervicogenic dizziness can be controversial as there are no specific tests to confirm it as the underlying cause of dizziness.

Cholesteatoma

A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth that develops in the middle ear behind the eardrum. It typically forms as a result of frequent infections and appears as a cyst or pouch that accumulates layers of old skin within the ear. As the cholesteatoma grows, it can damage the fragile bones of the middle ear. This can lead to hearing loss, dizziness, and even facial muscle paralysis.

Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (EVAS)

Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are disorders resulting from an infection that inflames the inner ear or the vestibulo-cochlear nerve (the eighth cranial nerve), which connects the inner ear to the brain. Neuritis (inflammation of the nerve) affects the vestibular branch of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, resulting in dizziness or vertigo but no change in hearing. Labyrinthitis (inflammation of the labyrinth) occurs when an infection affects both branches of the nerve, resulting in hearing changes as well as dizziness or vertigo.

Ménière’s Disease

Neurotoxicity

Otosclerosis

Ototoxicity

Pediatric Vestibular Disorders

Until recently, most medical professionals assumed that problems with vestibular function primarily affect adults, with only a small number of children being affected. However, there is growing evidence of vestibular system dysfunction in children, with consequent problems with gaze stability (seeing clearly with head movement), balance ability and/or the development of balance abilities, and dizziness.

Perilymph Fistula

Presbyvestibulopathy (PVP)

Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops (SEH)

Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome results from an opening (dehiscence) in the bone overlying the superior (uppermost) semicircular canal within the inner ear. With this dehiscence, the fluid in the membranous superior canal (which is located within the tubular cavity of the bony canal) can be displaced by sound and pressure stimuli, creating certain vestibular and/or auditory signs and symptoms.

Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular Paroxysmia

Vestibular paroxysmia is an episodic vestibular disorder that usually presents with a high frequency of attacks. It is assumed that vestibular paroxysmia occurs due to compression of the eighth cranial nerve (otherwise known as the vestibulocochlear nerve) by an artery. This nerve supplies the inner ear (which assists with balance) and the cochlea (the organ of hearing). Diagnosis of this condition is often based on the patient’s symptoms.

Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

The vertebral and basilar arteries carry blood to the inner ear labyrinth, the vestibulocochlear nerve, and the brainstem. When blood flow through these vessels is restricted for any reason, it is called vertebrobasilar insufficiency. This is a common cause of vertigo in the elderly. Vertigo occurs suddenly without warning, usually lasts for several minutes, and can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, and impaired vision.

Move better.
Live better.

Move better. Live better.

PhysioFit Physical Therapy & Wellness, like Los Altos itself, combines an inviting, community environment with exceptional talent. Founded and led by Kim Gladfelter, a keen, well-rounded expert in healing through movement, and a dedicated team that takes a holistic approach to optimal health.

How Vestibular Rehabilitation Works:

Understand your symptoms

Thorough talk with your therapist
Go over weak areas
See what causes your symptoms
Test GAIT & balance
Determine lifestyle contributors

understanding before vestibular rehabilitation

Get the care you need

Get personalized treatment
Direct relationship with specialist
Review goals and set milestones
Focus on a holistic approach to your treatment

Desired outcome for vestibular rehabilitation

Be more independent, less worry
Do any exercise/activity and stay active without feeling nausea and dizziness
Change positions without the worry of loss of balance
Move your body normally to increase mobility and lead an active lifestyle

get desired outcomes from vestibular rehabilitation

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What Our Clients Say

H.S.

“I was totally skeptical coming in. Even a little resistant. But I had the best session ever. I keep waiting for “the catch”. Like, how could this have possibly worked within an hour– something that I’ve been carrying around, in and out of therapy, for years? But now, two months later, I still feel free of my burden. Before I left, I took a bunch of Divya’s business cards. I have a few friends who could really use her help!”
Los Altos, CA

D.A.

“I have been seeing Janet Perrino for multifaceted neuro-muscular-skeletal-joint issues combined with fibromyalgia. Janet’s knowledge of anatomy and how it affects the function of body parts is golden and unmatched by any other physical therapist or even doctors. She was able to quickly figure out my problems and find solutions that resulted in, pretty much, instant improvement and pain relief. Incredibly grateful for all the help and treatments.”
Los Altos, CA

What You Won't Get At PhysioFit

You won’t be treated by a physical therapist treating 2-4 other people in the same room.
You won’t waste time playing musical chairs on useless machines.
You won’t be with a therapist for 5-10 minutes, where they show you the same basic exercises they give to everyone – regardless of what YOU might actually be going through.
Your treatment will NEVER be influenced by what an insurance company will cover.
We’ll never tell you, “this just happens as we get older, just take some pain medication.”

Free Guide For Anyone
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