Balance & Vestibular Training
Balance and inner ear problems: more common than you may think
Symptoms such as dizziness, spinning, motion sickness or feeling off balance
often interfere with daily actives and quality of life of many people.
In fact, balance and vestibular (inner ear) problems are more common than
you may think:
Balance Problem Statistics
- Approximately 8 million people visit their doctor for treatment of dizziness annually.
- According to the National Institutes of Health, 40-50 percent of people
over the age of 40 experience dizziness or balance problems at some point
in their life.
- Falls are the leading cause of injuries in people age 65 and older in the
United States.
- Of all falls suffered by older adults, 50 percent can be attributed to
some degree of vestibular dysfunction.
- BPPV is a very common vestibular disorder with an incidence of one in every
five people with vertigo. BPPV stands for Benign, Paroxysmal (sudden,
without warning) Positional (in response to movement of the head) Vertigo
(abnormal sensation of movement).
The Balance and Vestibular Training program at Southwest General was can
help address balance problems that affect the quality of life for many patients.
A Comprehensive Program for Balance and Inner Ear Problems
Southwest General’s Therapy Services offers a comprehensive balance
and vestibular training program. People most appropriate for the program
include anyone experiencing dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, gait instability,
falls or fear of falling. Other vestibular disorders may include:
- Labyrinthitis
- BPPV
- Vestibular neuronitis
- Unilateral or bilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction
- Meniere’s Disease
- Motion intolerance
A Patient-Focused Approach
A highly skilled physical or occupational therapist will assess the needs
of each patient seeking treatment for balance or vestibular problems.
Following the assessment, depending upon the findings as well as the patient’s
individual needs, a therapist will determine if either individual therapy
or group balance training is needed. All patients receive education, balance
and vestibular exercises and strategies to help them reach their full
potential. Objective testing is performed during treatment to measure
each patient’s progress toward balance goals.
Take our Balance Test
If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions,
you may have a balance problem. Contact your physician for a referral
to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service’s Balance &
Vestibular Training Program. A physician order is required for all services.
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Have you fallen more than once in the past year?
Yes No
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Do you have frequent dizziness, vertigo or balance problems?
Yes No
-
Have you ever had a sudden/unexplained bout of dizziness?
Yes No
-
Have you noticed new problems with head movements or position changes?
Yes No
-
Have you experienced a stroke or other neurological problem that has affected
your balance?
Yes No
-
Do you experience numbness or loss of sensation in your legs and/or feet
that affect your balance?
Yes No
-
Do you use a walker or wheelchair, or need assistance to get around?
Yes No
-
Do you need to hold onto walls or furniture as you walk around your house?
Yes No
-
Do you feel unsteady when you are walking?
Yes No
We Look Forward to Helping You
To learn more about our Balance and Vestibular training, or to schedule
a new patient appointment, call
833-SW-REHAB (833-797-3422).
Convenient day and evening hours are available at the following locations:
LifeWorks of Southwest General
7390 Old Oak Blvd.
Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
440-816-8010
North Royalton Physical Therapy
5340 Royalton Road
North Royalton, OH 44133
440-230-1133