Vestibular rehabilitation
Specialized dizziness and balance rehabilitation for a safer, healthier life
Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based therapy that eases symptoms of dizziness and vertigo. At Penn Medicine, we offer individualized vestibular disorder treatment to help improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls.
An experienced team of otorhinolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors), licensed physical therapists, certified vestibular rehabilitation specialists, and audiologists creates your rehabilitation plan. Your plan is based on a comprehensive assessment using state-of-the-art testing equipment. Our highly regarded audiology, hearing, and balance program is known regionally and nationally for its track record of treating common and complex vestibular disorders with excellent outcomes.
How does vestibular rehabilitation work?
Vestibular rehab teaches your brain to adapt to irregular signals from your vestibular system. Vestibular disorders result from problems with your inner ear or brain, which work together to control balance and eye movements.
Sensory organs in your inner ear send signals to your brain when your head moves. Your brain interprets these signals and controls how your eyes and muscles move. This is what keeps you balanced and standing upright. But when any of these components don’t work properly, you can experience dizziness, vertigo, or other symptoms.
During balance and dizziness testing at Penn Medicine, specialists evaluate your balance issues and learn how they affect your life. We tailor treatment to your specific challenges, focusing on helping you move safely and stay as independent as possible.
Who needs vestibular rehabilitation?
You may benefit from vestibular therapy if you have balance challenges related to a brain or neck injury, stroke, neurological condition, middle or inner ear disorder, or aging. Older people (over 65) are more likely to have vestibular disorders since the inner ear can degenerate over time. This puts them at risk for falls and serious injuries.
Vestibular rehabilitation can help you manage balance problems related to:
Benefits of vestibular therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can enhance your:
- Ability to perform activities of daily living
- Gait (walking) and postural (standing) stability
- Independence and safety
- Muscle strength and coordination
- Mental and emotional health
- Visual focus and gaze stability
What to expect from balance and vestibular therapy at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine offers outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation locations throughout the greater Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Princeton areas, making it convenient to get the care you need. Balance and vestibular rehabilitation is a type of outpatient therapy. You work with a physical or occupational therapist regularly and learn exercises you can continue at home.
It can take anywhere from six weeks to three months to see results. Some people experience dizziness and nausea during therapy, but these symptoms are temporary.
There are three main components to vestibular therapy: habituation exercises, gaze stabilization, and balance training.
Habituation exercises use repeated movements to help your brain and body get used to dizziness triggers. People who feel dizzy or off balance with specific head movements or in busy environments can benefit from habituation exercises. Repeated exposure to the same movement or environment makes your brain gradually acclimate to the irregular signals it receives.
Gaze stabilization exercises improve your ability to focus on a stationary object while you move your head. These visual tracking exercises help your eyes, head, and neck move together to maintain proprioception (your body’s ability to sense its position in space). While sitting, you keep your eyes fixed on a stationary object and move your head from side to side. Once this feels comfortable, you repeat the same exercise while standing and walking.
Balance training exercises improve stability so you can do daily activities with less risk of falling. You may start with stationary exercises such as standing with your feet apart, balancing on one leg, or standing with your eyes closed. You can use a wall or other support to balance at first. You gradually progress to walking on stairs and uneven ground. You may also practice walking while moving your head, making turns, or catching a ball.