Parkview Therapy Services and Parkview Athletic Rehabilitation offer vestibular rehabilitation therapy to help patients recover from concussions and to help treat symptoms of vertigo. Our ImPACT®-certified therapists help patients that have suffered a concussion return to sport and to life safely.
What is vestibular rehabilitation therapy?
Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of therapy used to improve balance and reduce dizziness associated with vestibular dysfunction. Parkview Therapy Services and Parkview Athletic Rehabilitation physical therapists who are certified in vestibular therapy are specifically trained to treat these types of symptoms, along with treating headaches and fogginess resulting from sport-related concussions.
Parkview Therapy Services offers direct access to our therapies.
Call 260-266-4007 to request an appointment.
What does vestibular rehabilitation consist of?
Vestibular rehab consists of a multitude of exercises including visual tracking, coordination of vestibular and ocular systems, balance training and strength and proprioception of the neck muscles. Treatment plans are individualized to a patient’s symptoms and rehab goals.
Different tests include assessing the patient’s ability to track with their eyes, assessing symptoms with different head movements and testing balance. The physical therapist will also screen the cervical spine for any musculoskeletal involvement, including neck movement and muscular tightness.
What are some exercises commonly performed in vestibular rehabilitation therapy?
The most common exercise performed in vestibular rehab involves moving the head in different directions while maintaining your gaze on a stationary object. This directly challenges the vestibular system. Physical therapists also address how an individual’s eyes respond by using different charts to assist with oculomotor tracking.
Lastly, physical therapy challenges the patient’s balance by incorporating different surfaces and mobility tasks with gradual progression to return to sport or return to normal activities.
What conditions are treated in the vestibular rehabilitation program?
We mostly treat athletes who have suffered from a concussion related to the sport they play. However, we do see some patients who suffer from dizziness related to vertigo depending on the severity and symptoms.
How common are vestibular problems and who is most susceptible to them?
When looking at statistics for concussions, athletes who participate in high-risk sports such as football, hockey, soccer, boxing or other contact sports are more susceptible to concussions and thus more likely to need vestibular rehabilitation.
However, a concussion may occur from indirect forces as well, such as a whiplash injury or a fall without necessarily hitting the head.
Vestibular conditions may be more common than you may think in adults. Dizziness or symptoms of vertigo may come and go quickly, and may resolve themselves. However, vestibular therapy is available to assist the lingering symptoms if they occur longer than expected.
Do vestibular rehabilitation therapists have special certifications?
Our therapists are ImPACT®-certified, which is an additional certification specific to treating concussions.
How long does it take to resolve vestibular problems?
We will typically see a patient from 4-6 weeks. Often times, symptoms of concussions resolve much sooner than this. The goal of physical therapy is to return the patient to their normal, daily activities symptom-free.
Where is vestibular rehabilitation offered?
Patients can get vestibular rehab at all Parkview TherapyONE and Parkview Athletic Rehabilitation locations.
