Concussions can be disruptive events, impacting not just your thinking but also your sense of balance. Dizziness, vertigo, and nausea are common after a concussion, and these symptoms can significantly affect your daily life. Here at Next Step Physiotherapy , we offer Vestibular physiotherapy Edmonton – a specialized form of physiotherapy – to help you regain your balance and overcome these challenges associated with post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
What is the Vestibular System and How Does a Concussion Affect It?
Your inner ear houses the vestibular system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation. Tiny hair cells within the inner ear send signals to your brain about head movement. When you experience a concussion, these hair cells can become damaged, mismatched signals sent to the brain. This mismatch disrupts communication between your inner ear, eyes, and muscles responsible for balance, resulting in dizziness, vertigo, and other unsettling sensations.
How Can Vestibular Therapy Help?
Vestibular therapy is a safe and effective approach to retraining your brain to compensate for the dysfunction in your inner ear. Through a series of exercises and techniques, vestibular therapy helps your brain re-interpret the signals it receives and adapt to the changes caused by the concussion.
Benefits of Vestibular Therapy at Next Step Physiotherapy:
Reduced Dizziness and Vertigo: By retraining your brain, vestibular therapy can significantly reduce these unpleasant sensations, allowing you to move your head with less discomfort.
Improved Balance: Targeted exercises can enhance your balance and coordination, giving you more confidence in daily activities.
Enhanced Spatial Awareness: Vestibular therapy can help restore your sense of spatial orientation, reducing feelings of disorientation and dizziness.
Faster Recovery: Early intervention with vestibular therapy can accelerate the healing process after a concussion.
Reduced Reliance on Medication: Vestibular therapy offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to managing post-concussion symptoms.
What to Expect During Vestibular Therapy:
A typical vestibular therapy session at Next Step Physiotherapy involves:
Comprehensive Assessment: Our physiotherapist will discuss your concussion history, symptoms, and current limitations.
Balance and Coordination Testing: We will assess your balance and coordination through standardized tests.
Customized Treatment Plan: Based on your assessment, a personalized plan will be developed, incorporating exercises that target specific aspects of your vestibular dysfunction. Common techniques include:
Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Specific head movements help dislodge dislodged particles in the inner ear, alleviating vertigo.
Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises train your eyes to track objects smoothly, reducing dizziness with head movement.
Balance and Habituation Exercises: Exercises gradually challenge your balance system, helping your brain adapt and compensate for the vestibular dysfunction.
Next Step Physiotherapy: Your Path to Recovery
If you’re experiencing dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems following a concussion, vestibular therapy can be a game-changer. At Next Step Physiotherapy Edmonton, our experienced and certified vestibular therapists will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan designed to optimize your recovery and get you back to your daily activities with confidence.
#vestibularphysiotherapyedmonton #vestibularphysiotherapy #vestibularphysiotherapynearme #vestibularphysiotherapy #physiotherapynearme #physiotherapyedmonton #physicaltherapynearme #physicaltherapy #nextstepphysiotherapyedmonton #physicaltherapist #physiotherapyclinic #physioclinicedmonton
