Balance dysfunction and vertiginous syndrome: let's treat them with functional vestibular rehabilitation

By Cristiano Antonino On Oct 24, 2022

Vertigo syndrome and balance dysfunctions are characterised by symptoms that are difficult to explain, alterations in the body’s faculties of perception in space; to add to this, the rehabilitation therapies to treat them are often little known

However, there is a cure for these disorders and it is called functional vestibular re-education.

The symptoms of balance dysfunction and vertiginous syndrome

Balance dysfunction is characteristic of all those disorders affecting the organs responsible for stabilising the body in space and can affect

stability;
orientation;
posture.

The symptomatology of balance dysfunction and vertiginous syndrome presents itself with:

dizziness
dizziness;
fainting;
nausea;
headaches.

The main causes of this instability can be traced to:

ear dysfunctions;
cervical dysfunctions;
anxiety states.

The role of the treating physician

It happens that the person suffering from one of these dysfunctions finds it difficult to express the feeling of discomfort that accompanies him or her, leading to an untimely diagnosis of the pathology and thus burdening his or her daily life.

The patient presenting this type of dysfunction is usually referred by his or her attending physician to specialists (Physiatrist, Otolaryngologist, Neurologist) who, depending on the pathology and general condition, propose in-depth studies and targeted treatment.

Physiotherapeutic treatment can be of great help in many cases.

Functional vestibular re-education in vertiginous syndrome

Functional vestibular re-education is a physiotherapeutic treatment for people who have difficulty with balance or feel dizzy and postural instability.

The important thing is the ad-hoc customisation of therapy, according to the indications of medical specialists.

Modulating exercises is the first step that can lead to the resolution of many physical problems.

The physiotherapy proposal to the patient for the treatment of balance dysfunction can be manifold and chosen by the medical specialist in collaboration with the physiotherapist:

traditionally physiotherapeutic treatment
manual therapy treatment;
course of specific balance exercises.

Precisely because vertiginous syndrome and balance dysfunction are submerged pathologies, the multidisciplinary approach is the answer to successful treatment and can guarantee the achievement of faster psycho-physical well-being.

There is a vacuum of information about the treatment to be undertaken for this type of disorder; patients do not know who to turn to.

Instead, when the specialist takes charge of the patient and, after the various investigations and pharmacological treatments, refers him or her to us, a real process begins that can improve everyday life.

Vertigo syndrome: from fear to awareness with vestibular re-education

Vertigo syndrome and balance dysfunction affect the everyday life of affected patients: the fear that the event of discomfort and instability will recur is one of the most common consequences.

Vestibular treatment ensures awareness of the event. The specialised physiotherapist proposes exercises that are performed to evoke the problem and puts the patient in a position to face and overcome it.

Precisely because of the complexity of managing the patient’s physical reactions, few facilities offer this type of treatment to date.

It is essential to work in a facility that is prepared for all eventualities.

The exercises can cause dizziness or discomfort and the treatment can trigger the pathology suffered; constant medical support is therefore necessary.