WOULD I BENEFIT FROM VESTIBULAR REHAB?
Vestibular Rehab can help with dizziness, vertigo, and more. Find Out If Vestibular Rehabilitation Is Right For You
Post-vacation my dad should have been riding high – relaxed, refreshed, and renewed. That was not the case. Laying down and standing still he felt nauseous, light-headed, and dizzy. When he wasn’t moving it was as though the world was moving around him, like a subtle rock or sway. Moving around he was okay, but once he stopped moving his symptoms would hit him like a wave. It was taking a toll on him. He was exhausted from trying to stabilize himself. He thought he was going crazy. He kept trying to sleep it off, thinking he would be better after a nap.
My dad had Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), a form of vestibular dysfunction that is common after cruises. Thankfully, we recognized the symptoms and started him on a vestibular rehabilitation program. He was feeling better within days – mentally and physically.
Vestibular rehab introduces exercises that reduce and eliminate symptoms of dizziness, and balance issues. There are many reasons problems with the vestibular system can occur, including infection, age-related degeneration, and head trauma. Many people are affected by vestibular system disorders and just live with it. Whether it’s because the symptoms are mild or manageable, they just don’t think anything can be done, or like my dad, think they are going crazy. This is not the case. Vestibular rehabilitation can help so you can reclaim your life and feel more in control of your body.
If you are experiencing dizziness, imbalance, motion sensitivity, or vertigo, vestibular rehab could greatly benefit you. If you have had an increased number of falls recently, vestibular rehab will help. If you have even noticed a decreased ability to concentrate or multi-task, and your memory seems like it is failing you, again, vestibular rehab could be helpful.
If you are noticing any changes in your day-to-day functioning or feel like you are losing independence because of a fear of falling, or not trusting your body, you can benefit from vestibular rehabilitation. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us – we would love to help you!
Author: Karyn Robb, Physiotherapist
Karyn Robb is a dedicated physiotherapist with a passion for movement and rehabilitation. Her journey into physiotherapy was inspired by a lifelong dedication to athletics, beginning with a competitive figure skating career that exposed her to Olympic weightlifting and rigorous training regimes.