Vestibular therapy is an exercise program that helps patients with balance and visual acuity problems. It is generally conducted twice weekly for four weeks. Afterward, patients can usually return to their normal activities. However, they should not undertake activities that require high visual acuity.
Exercises to improve balance
Balancing exercises improve balance by strengthening your core and lower body. They are beneficial for people of all ages, regardless of physical fitness level. They are especially useful for older adults and people with certain conditions. They can be done on your own or with the help of a physical therapist or professional trainer.
A balance Vestibular Therapy is easy to do anywhere involves a single-legged stand. To do this exercise, you simply need to grab a chair back or another sturdy surface. Hold onto the back of the chair, lift one foot to calf level, and then switch legs 10 to 15 times. This exercise will increase core strength and balance, so it can help you perform everyday tasks with more ease.
Exercises to reduce sensitivity to motion
Motion sickness can be a debilitating condition and you may want to consider doing some exercises to reduce your sensitivity to it. These types of exercises mimic the kind of motion that makes you feel queasy. They work by creating a sense of sensory conflict that reduces the feeling of motion sickness. The exercises may sound like they are too uncomfortable to practice, but they work to reduce your sensitivity to motion.
One study showed that progressive gaze stability exercises reduced motion sensitivity and helped participants improve their postural stability. It was also found that motion sensitivity and postural stability were inversely related. However, the exercises did not affect the participants’ subjective perception of anxiety. In conclusion, it is recommended that people with motion sensitivity try progressive gaze stability exercises. They may reduce the symptoms of motion sickness and enable them to participate in activities that they value.
Vestibular Physical Therapist is important for achieving postural balance, a skill that requires the integration of sensory inputs and coordination of movement strategies. People with motion sensitivity often report symptoms of postural instability and dizziness, especially when the head moves. This is because the upper neck-joint receptors stimulate the cervical-ocular reflex, which is involved in the head rotation.
Duration of a typical program
A typical Vestibular Therapy program lasts approximately six to eight weeks. The goal of this program is to help patients return to activities they enjoy, without dizziness or other symptoms. In addition, this type of rehabilitation is often an integral part of a patient’s pre-surgery or postoperative treatment plan.
The process of vestibular therapy starts with an evaluation of the vestibular system and proprioception and vision systems. After this, a patient learns and performs exercises to improve balance and proprioception. These exercises will help the brain to ignore abnormal signals and tolerate head movements. Another exercise, known as gaze stabilization, works to strengthen eye muscles and improve eye-head coordination.
Conclusion
Depending on the severity and the condition of the vestibular problem, the duration of a typical Vestibular Therapy rehab program can range anywhere from six to eight weeks. During this time, patients are required to undergo at least one or two therapy sessions a week. Some people experience improvements in just 48 hours, while others may require several months. During the rehabilitation process, the physical therapist will work with the patient to develop a personalized treatment plan to address their needs.