Forty percent of the population over the age of 40 will experience symptoms of dizziness during their lifetime (National Institutes of Health). Much of the time dizziness is caused by a disorder in the vestibular (inner ear) system. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can be very beneficial for treatment of certain disorders of the inner ear. This is a specific form of physical therapy designed to promote the ability to use the vestibular system , and to facilitate compensation of the central nervous system when vestibular there is a deficiency in the inner ear.
Types of vestibular disorders that respond well to therapy include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular neuronitis or labrynthitis (types of inner ear infections)
- Bilateral vestibular loss (that may occur with use of certain medications that are toxic to the inner ear)
- Advanced Meniere’s disease.
St. Alexius clinicians have advance training to evaluate and treat vestibular disorders. Based on a comprehensive evaluation which may include computerized dynamic balance testing, a customized program will be devised to focus on your specific impairment. Goals of therapy include:
- Improved balance
- Decreased dizziness and vertigo
- Decreased sensitivity to head movements
- Improved confidence and decreased risk of falls.
- Improved ability to coordinate head and eye movement
- Improve overall conditioning.
- Decrease anxiety caused by symptoms of dizziness.
Services are covered by insurance including Blue Cross blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, Auto, ND workforce Safety and Insurance, and many other commercial insurance providers.
For more information, please contact the Human Performance Center at 701-530-8100 or 1-800-222-7858.