Concussion Care and Vestibular Rehabilitation

Why Vestibular Rehabilitation

Post-concussion and vestibular symptoms can widely vary and be extremely frustrating, disrupting your daily life. Our trained vestibular therapists at PhysioDNA understand the challenges following concussions and vestibular conditions and want to help you recover effectively to get back to your daily activities and the things you love. We will tailor your treatment program to address your unique needs.

Vestibular disorders are a range of conditions which include symptoms of balance problems, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and/or vomiting. They may result from viral infections, head injury, motor vehicle accidents, aging, or may occur spontaneously. The vestibular system is located in your inner ear and plays a vital role in balance and spatial awareness. Concussions, which are considered a mild traumatic brain injury, may affect the vestibular system. It may cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, concentration and memory problems, balance impairments, light and noise sensitivity, fatigue, and sleep difficulties.

Vestibular physiotherapy uses certain maneuvers and exercises to correct dysfunctions in the inner ear and retrain the brain to work more effectively, with a goal of improving balance and reducing dizziness. Vestibular repositioning maneuvers are especially effective for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – a common vestibular disorder.

What does concussion and vestibular therapy at PhysioDNA look like?

• Comprehensive assessment: We will assess your symptoms, balance, coordination, as well as conduct a musculoskeletal assessment to determine the potential contributors to your symptoms.
• Vestibular exercises: Specific exercises designed to improve your balance, gaze stability, visual tracking, and spatial awareness.
• Repositioning maneuvers: Specialized techniques to help dislodge and mobilize small crystals in your inner ear that affect your balance and perception of dizziness to reset your vestibular system.
• Cervical spine evaluation and treatment: Neck dysfunction may be caused by a whiplash injury and increased neck tension can affect your vestibular system, contributing to your symptoms.
• Education and guidance: We will provide you with information about concussion recovery and strategies to manage your symptoms effectively.

How can this therapy help you?

• Reduced dizziness and vertigo
• Improved balance and coordination
• Enhanced cognitive function
• Faster overall concussion recovery
• Reduced risk of long-term post-concussion syndrome

Contact us today to learn how one of our trained vestibular and concussion experts can help you get back to your normal activities.

What to Expect from Your Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Experience

Knowing if Vestibular Rehab is Right for you

Vestibular rehabilitation is a great choice for anyone dealing with vestibular disorders, no matter their age. It’s especially useful for people whose symptoms disrupt their daily life or haven’t improved with other treatments. How effective the rehab is can depend on various factors, including the individual’s specific condition, the root cause of their symptoms, and how dedicated they are to the therapy. While many people see noticeable improvements with regular treatment, the time it takes to see results can vary. Some might notice changes in just a few weeks, whereas others may need several months to see significant progress. Staying committed to the therapy and sticking to the prescribed exercises is key to getting the best outcomes.

Addressing Different Symptoms

Vestibular therapy focuses mainly on treating dizziness and balance problems. If you’re also dealing with related issues like trouble concentrating, memory problems, headaches, or sleep disturbances, your therapist will evaluate how these symptoms might be linked to your vestibular condition and they’ll adjust the therapy to address these interconnected issues. The goal is to improve overall brain function and ease the associated symptoms. It’s important to note that this therapy isn’t just for balance problems caused by concussions; it can be effective for a variety of balance disorders.

Comfort During Therapy 

The goal of therapy is to help, not to cause pain, although you might experience some discomfort during certain exercises or maneuvers. If you find any activity too uncomfortable, let your therapist know right away. They can make adjustments to the treatment to better fit your needs. Since exercises are tailored to your unique symptoms and balance issues, your therapist can also modify any exercise that feels ineffective or overly challenging to ensure it’s both effective and manageable for you.

Lifestyle Adjustments & Treatment Outside the Clinic

Lifestyle changes might be necessary to prevent worsening your symptoms. Your therapist will give you specific advice on which activities you should avoid or adjust based on your personal assessment. After the initial evaluation, you might need occasional follow-up sessions to track your progress. Your therapist will let you know if any additional treatment is needed depending on how you’re responding to the therapy.

If you can’t make it to therapy sessions regularly, your therapist will suggest exercises and strategies for you to use at home to keep making progress. Unlike general physical therapy, which often covers a wide range of issues like strength and flexibility, vestibular therapy is specifically aimed at improving the health of your vestibular system with targeted exercises and techniques that can be adapted to various settings.

Tracking Progress & Symptoms

Tracking your progress is a key part of vestibular rehab. Your therapist will keep an eye on how your symptoms change using specific tests and by gathering feedback on your daily experiences to gauge how well you’re improving. Additionally, staying on top of a balanced diet and proper hydration is important for overall health and recovery. Your therapist may give you advice on how these factors could affect your symptoms.

If your symptoms return after therapy, let your therapist know so they can figure out the cause and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. If you experience severe pain, worsening symptoms, or no improvement, your therapist will assess whether a different approach or even stopping therapy might be necessary.