Vertigo is an uncomfortable condition that leaves you feeling dizzy and unbalanced. Fortunately, there is an option that can bring you relief. These are five reasons why balance therapy, also known as vestibular rehabilitation, can help with vertigo.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo is caused by various issues, but it usually stems from an inner ear problem. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) causes crystals in the ear to become out of place. Moving your head in various positions can cause symptoms to appear.
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that occurs due to fluid buildup and causes pressure in the ear. It can lead to tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo.
Labyrinthitis develops as a result of an infection in the inner ear. It can lead to vertigo when inflammation occurs, disrupting the nerves inside the ear. The condition causes you to feel off balance and dizzy.
Vertigo is unpleasant, but balance therapy can help. These are five ways it can ease your symptoms and make you feel better.
1- Improves Your Balance
Vestibular rehabilitation involves a series of exercises involving movements of your head. It helps to improve your balance and stability. Over time, you can gradually regain better footing and smoother movements without wobbling while standing or walking. This even includes your ability to balance while standing on one foot.
2- Improves Your Posture
Although it’s not a chief cause, poor posture such as slumping while seated or standing can worsen vertigo. It can place added pressure on the nerves and arteries in the neck and cause symptoms like dizziness. Balance therapy can help your vertigo as it improves your posture. Your physical therapist may coach you on becoming more aware of how you hold your spine and head, which can reduce your vertigo symptoms.
3- Reduces Dizziness
Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms of vertigo. You can experience it while standing, sitting, or lying down, but it’s usually worse when your head is down. This can also bring on bouts of nausea and even vomiting and interfere with your sleep. Balance therapy can reduce your dizziness so you can feel normal while in any position. It prevents that head-spinning sensation so you can sleep and perform other normal activities without worry.
4- Stabilizes Your Gaze
Vestibular rehabilitation uses exercises involving eye movements to improve your balance and stability. Over time, the therapy helps to train your eye muscles and stabilizes your gaze. This can counter typical vertigo symptoms like dizziness and imbalance.
5- Decreases Your Fall Risk
Vertigo significantly increases your fall risk, which can lead to injury. Balance therapy addresses this issue by decreasing that risk and reducing your fear. As you become used to your exercises and they become second nature, you can move around freely without feeling unsteady on your feet. You won’t have to worry about falling and potentially suffering injuries.
If you were diagnosed with vertigo, balance therapy can help control your symptoms. Contact a local therapy center to schedule sessions at your earliest convenience. Balance therapy, also known as vestibular rehabilitation, is specifically designed to address dizziness and imbalance issues caused by vertigo.
