Vestibular Rehabilitation

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Vestibular rehabilitation

The organs in your inner ear make up the vestibular system and sense the position of your head in space. The vestibular system works together with your vision and somatosensory system (the position sense you gain from your feet on the ground), to send information to your brain to manage balance. If any system is not working, it impacts your balance and makes you feel unsteady.

Vertigo symptoms and treatment

Vertigo is the symptom that implicates the vestibular system. It is different than dizziness, the feeling of lightheadedness or being unbalanced. Vertigo is a feeling of spinning, and is often due to malfunction in the inner ear (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), nervous system (Vestibular Hypofunction) or many other different factors.

Our therapists are specially trained in management of vestibular dysfunction. The patient will receive a comprehensive evaluation to determine the type and probable cause of dysfunction. Treatment may include special positioning techniques to improve the flow of fluid in the semicircular canals of the inner ear and exercises to the head, neck and eyes to challenge the brain to overcome the vertigo sensation. If possible, patients will progress to higher level balance activities to challenge their vestibular, visual, and somatosensory system to return them to full function.

Appointments 515-271-1717
Hours Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312

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