Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center PROMOTES VESTIBULAR AND BALANCE REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Vestibular Sensory System

The Vestibular system, located in the inner ear, provides information to the brain allowing a person to maintain optimal balance. People who have vestibular or balance difficulties may experience some, if not all, of the following symptoms:

• Unsteadiness with a tendency to fall
• Movement-related dizziness
• Intermittent instability and dizziness
• Blurred or double vision with movement
• Decreased levels of activity and independence

Contrary to popular belief, vestibular and balance difficulties, including dizziness or tendency to fall and abnormal ear functions such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss are not normal aspects of the aging process. They are medical conditions that may last weeks, months or years and may not subside without medical intervention.

Intervention

Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center offers you vestibular and balance rehabilitation services on an outpatient basis. Our exercise-oriented treatment is individually designed for your needs and is targeted toward attaining goals including:

• Improved sensory and motor coordination to increase balance
• Decreased movement-related dizziness
• Improved eye movement and gaze stability while turning your head
• Improved ability to visually follow an object when your head is stationary
• Improved level of activity and independence
• Decreased risk of falls

Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation Program

Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients who experience lightheadedness or spinning sensations and/or unsteadiness when standing or walking due to vestibular or balance disorders. The program offers you a multi-disciplinary team approach and individualized one-on-one treatment programs in order to enhance your balance and alleviate or compensate for dizziness and unsteadiness symptoms. Treatment is performed by a licensed physical therapist that is responsible for your care throughout the treatment period in conjunction with your physician. When appropriate, your physician may refer you to additional multidisciplinary team members such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists and/or neuropsychologists.

Vestibular and Balance Self-Test

If you experience dizziness, unsteadiness or drifting from the starting position during any of these tests, you may have a vestibular and/or balance disorder. They include the following:

• Romberg Stand
  Stand still with your heels and toes together, with your arms crossed and eyes open for 20 seconds. Repeat with your eyes closed.
  
  
• Tandem Stand
  Stand heel to toe with your arms crossed and eyes open for 20 seconds. Repeat with your eyes closed.
  
  
• Marching in Place
  With your arms held out front and your eyes open, step in place to the count of 50. Repeat with your eyes closed.
  
  
• Circular Reach
  Raise both arms above your head and draw a large clockwise circle while bending from the waist. Repeat counterclockwise.
  
  
• Visual Tracking
  Look at printed material and shake your head "no" for 30 seconds while keeping print in focus. Repeat shaking your head "yes" for 30 seconds.
  
  
• Postural Positional Change
  Sit looking straight ahead. Look over your right shoulder as you recline on your left side. Lie still for 45 seconds, then sit up quickly and look straight ahead. Repeat to the opposite side by looking over your left shoulder as you lie on your right side.

For More Information

Vestibular and balance rehabilitation services are available on an outpatient basis. For referral procedures or for more information regarding these services, please call the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department at 269-965-3206.

 

Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center 393 E. Roosevelt Battle Creek, Michigan  49017 269.965.3206