Vestibular Rehabilitation
Complaints of dizziness, vertigo and imbalance have been increasingly frequent, especially in high age groups, leading to insecurity regarding the individual’s ability to perform daily life activities, and even family dependence. In this context, it is imperative that the Physiotherapist acts in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Vestibular Rehabilitation is a method of treatment indicated for individuals with balance disorder, aiming at the attenuation or elimination of symptoms and an improvement in quality of life.
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, in the posterior labyrinth, which functions as a position and motion sensor.
Vestibular Rehabilitation evaluates and treats, through manual techniques and specific and individualized exercises, disorders of the vestibular system by readjusting the visual, proprioceptive and vestibular systems.
The vestibular apparatus works continuously, so an asymmetry of the labyrinth response leads to symptoms such as
- Vertigo;
- Dizziness;
- Imbalance;
- Nistagmo;
- Neurovegetative symptoms (nausea, vomiting, cold sweating, tachycardia, pallor…);
- Hearing disorders (tinnitus, hearing loss…);
- Difficulty in eye fixation;
- Headaches;
- Difficulty of concentration
One of the causes of balance disorders may be decreasing inflammatory processes in the vestibular system, however, attention and concentration difficulties, tiredness and anxiety, are aspects that must also be taken into account, since they are frequent characteristics in patients with balance disorders.
Vestibular Rehabilitation has been recognized as the treatment of choice for patients with balance disorders. Thus, the role of the Physiotherapist is fundamental in its evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.