What to Expect at Your First Vestibular Therapy Appointment

If you have your first vestibular therapy appointment coming up, you may be wondering what exactly to expect during the appointment. In this overview, we’ll help you understand what to expect from vestibular therapy and how it can help individuals with balance and dizziness issues.

What Is Vestibular Therapy?

Vestibular therapy, also called vestibular rehabilitation therapy, is designed to help individuals who are experiencing dizziness or issues with their balance. The vestibular system in our inner ear is responsible for balance and orientation, and it’s often the cause of dizziness, vertigo, balance issues, and related symptoms. Vestibular therapy, therefore, aims to help individuals better manage these symptoms.

Who Should Receive Vestibular Therapy?

Vestibular therapy can be beneficial for individuals with balance issues, vertigo, and dizziness resulting from issues with their vestibular system. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you can receive vestibular testing to determine the root cause of these issues. Vestibular testing can also help diagnose conditions such as:

• Labyrinthitis
• Meniere’s disease
• Vestibular neuritis
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

In these cases, vestibular therapy may be recommended as part of your treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms. Vestibular therapy can also help individuals with related conditions such as migraine headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and those recovering from a stroke.

What Does Vestibular Therapy Entail?

After your symptoms have been evaluated, your audiologist or other medical professional may recommend vestibular therapy. You’re then ready to schedule your first appointment. And then what?

Your vestibular rehabilitation therapy will depend on the specific symptoms you’re experiencing, the cause of your symptoms, and your individual goals for therapy. During the initial appointment for vestibular therapy, your provider will likely start with a review of these items to help determine the best options for your vestibular therapy sessions. From there, your appointments may include some of the following activities or exercises:

• Habituation exercises to help your body learn to adjust to situations that trigger symptoms
• Balance retraining
• Exercises that help address weaknesses, imbalances, and range of motion issues
• Gaze stability training

Your provider can help you understand what you’ll need to do and how these activities can be helpful for your particular needs. Of course, you should always feel comfortable asking questions or raising any concerns you may have so that you can make the most of your sessions.

Benefits of Vestibular Therapy

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can offer numerous benefits for individuals with balance, vertigo, dizziness, and related symptoms. It can help improve your balance, increase strength and range of motion, and stabilize your gaze. It can help individuals experience fewer symptoms and lower the risk of falls and other injuries as well.

Vestibular Testing Services at Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing

Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing is your local source for vestibular testing services in the Friendswood, Texas, area. If you’re experiencing symptoms that may be stemming from issues with the vestibular system, our testing services can provide you with the insights you need.

Contact Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing today to learn more about what to expect from vestibular therapy or to schedule a vestibular testing appointment. We proudly serve residents from Friendswood, TX, and the surrounding areas.