What is the vestibular system?
There is a vestibular apparatus in the inner ear consisting of semicircular canals that are positioned at right angles to each other. Each canal is filled with fluid, called the endolymph.
What does the vestibular system do?
The vestibular system monitors the motion and position of the head in space by detecting angular and linear acceleration. There is a vestibular apparatus within each ear so under normal circumstances, the signals being sent from each vestibular system to the brain should match, confirming that the head is indeed rotating to the right, for example.
Our brain regulates information from our visual and vestibular (ear) systems as well as from sensors in our muscles especially upper neck muscles in order to produce adequate muscle output to maintain a controlled, upright posture and balance. Dizziness and imbalance are the consequence of a conflict with the information gathered by different systems.
What can go wrong?
Dysfunction of the vestibular system can occur through a variety of mechanisms, including:
- infection,
- direct trauma,
- and neoplasm (Abnormal growth of tissue)
Below is a list of conditions that affect the peripheral vestibular system:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Labyrinthitis
- Acoustic Neuroma (also: Vestibular Schwannoma)
- Meniere’s Syndrome
- Perilymphatic Fistula
What are the symptoms of vestibular dysfunction?
Vestibular dysfunction is often accompanied by symptoms such as
- vertigo (feeling like you or the world is spinning),
- dizziness,
- tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears),
- nausea/vomiting,
- hearing loss.
These symptoms, and associated losses in vestibular function, can result in impaired balance, falls, depression, anxiety, disruption of work/daily activities of living, and disability.
What can physiotherapy do?
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy has been shown effective for treating a variety of vestibular conditions that can be implemented by physical therapist professionals.
Vestibular rehabilitation consists of:
- Specific BPPV exercises e.g. Modified Epley Maneuver
- Adaptation exercises. It retrains or teaches the brain to correctly interpret the information it receives.
- Substitution exercises. It uses other strategies to replace lost function.
- Habituation exercises. It stimulating the symptoms of dizziness in order to desensitize the vestibular system
- Balance and functional retraining to improve balance.
- Neck proprioception exercises to integrate the information from the neck- ear-eye-brain system
The selection of the exercises depends on the dysfunction as well as the condition being treated.
We are trained in how to identify, treat, and when necessary,
refer patients with known or suspected
vestibular dysfunction.
Phone us today! 051 436 3813
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