Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of physical therapy that helps individuals experiencing dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or motion sensitivity often caused by inner ear or neurological conditions. The goal of VRT is to retrain the brain and body to adapt to changes in the vestibular system, improving balance, stability, and confidence in movement.
At Physical Therapy and Wellness by Design, VRT is provided through a personalized, one-on-one approach that may include gaze stabilization exercises, balance retraining, habituation activities, and postural control training. These evidence-based techniques are carefully selected and progressed as and when clinically appropriate and needed, depending on the cause, severity, and nature of each patient’s symptoms.
VRT can be beneficial for conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), vestibular hypofunction, concussion-related dizziness, post-concussion syndrome (PCS), and other balance disorders. When necessary, patients are referred to or co-managed with their physician to ensure all potential underlying causes have been medically evaluated.
Through individualized assessment and focused rehabilitation, Physical Therapy and Wellness by Design helps patients restore equilibrium, reduce dizziness, and regain confidence in daily movement — empowering them to restore, recover, and rebuild balance and stability with lasting results.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and How Physical Therapy Can Help
What is BPPV?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness and vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals inside the inner ear become displaced and move into areas that control balance. This can send mixed signals to the brain, causing brief episodes of spinning or dizziness—especially when turning the head, lying down, or getting up from bed.Common Symptoms
People with BPPV often experience sudden dizziness or spinning sensations (vertigo), loss of balance or unsteadiness, nausea, or lightheadedness. These symptoms are usually triggered by specific head movements. Although the sensations can be unsettling, BPPV is benign—meaning it’s not dangerous and can be treated effectively.
How Physical Therapy Treats BPPV
Physical therapists trained in vestibular rehabilitation can accurately assess and treat BPPV using gentle, targeted repositioning maneuvers. During the assessment, your therapist performs specific positional tests, such as the Dix-Hallpike or Roll Test, to identify which ear and canal are affected. Once identified, the therapist guides you through a series of gentle head and body movements—most commonly the Epley Maneuver or Semont Maneuver—to move the displaced crystals back to their correct location in the inner ear.
Education and Home Guidance
Your therapist will also teach you safe ways to move, sleeping positions to minimize dizziness, and exercises to reduce symptoms and improve balance. In some cases, additional balance and gaze stabilization exercises are added to help restore confidence and prevent recurrence.
Why Choose Physical Therapy for BPPV
Physical therapy offers a fast, non-invasive, and highly effective solution for vertigo. Many people experience significant relief after just one or two sessions. With expert evaluation and hands-on treatment, your physical therapist can help you regain stability, confidence, and quality of life.