South Orange Vestibular Treatment

The human body is comprised of a “balance system” that is designed to promote a sense of steadiness while moving throughout the environment, thereby avoiding dangerous falls. The system includes the vestibular, visual and somatosensory components. If any of these system parts begin to fail, a person may begin to sense vertigo or dizziness.

The symptoms of balance system issues can vary from one patient to the next, and may include any of the following:

• Visual and/or auditory disturbances
• Headache, migraine or fatigue
• Dizziness or a feeling of swaying while standing still
• Faintness, nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness
• Disequilibrium, a feeling of unsteadiness, or actually falling

Each patient will experience a unique combination of symptoms with a balance system disorder. Of course, these symptoms could be indicative of a major underlying medical condition, so it is important to work closely with a medical provider to help determine the root cause. South Orange Rehabilitation & Wellness physical therapists can help you regain steady footing and feel confident walking unassisted. 

Help Patients Find Balance

Naturally, the central nervous system plays a major role in balance system disorders, and physical therapy can help promote the “compensation system” – which when compromised can present as a balance disorder. Specifically, South Orange Rehabilitation & Wellness works with patients on any of the following:

Balance & Strength Conditioning

A key component of regaining balance is correlatedly enhancing your strength and muscular support. We work to ensure a strong core is at work while engaging in other exercises specifically targeted at balance and gait – and the two approaches often complement one another nicely to achieve a balanced strength.

Gaze Stabilization

This simple approach can reap lasting benefits for patients who experience balance and vertigo issues. Gaze exercises involve maintaining steady eye contact with a fixed image while engaging in head exercises and movements in various directions. These exercises may take several weeks two accomplish well but can be very helpful in treating balance disorder.

Habituation

Many patients with vestibular disorders report being triggered by certain stimuli. In a habituation exercise, patients essentially relearn how to respond to that trigger in a positive way to eliminate balance issues.

While difficult at first, patients are instructed to perform the very movement(s) that cause dizziness and, along with a physical therapist, learn to handle those movements without experience dizziness or imbalance. 

Many patients with vestibular disorders report being triggered by certain stimuli. In a habituation exercise, patients essentially relearn how to respond to that trigger in a positive way to eliminate balance issues.