Balance and Dizzy (Vestibular) Program

One-third to one-half of the population 65 and older experience falls every year. The good news is the loss of balance is not inevitable and can be successfully treated. Our therapists are experts in diagnosing and treating the specific condition(s) which is(are) causing dizziness or loss of balance.

Causes of loss of balance and dizziness

The ability to maintain balance is a complex process which depends on three major components:

• The sensory system for information about your body’s position in space (such as sensation in the feet)
• Vision
• Inner ear organs functioning properly and communicating appropriately with the brain

Many medical conditions can affect any of these interrelated systems. Although these main systems contribute to our ability to maintain our balance, dizziness and altered balance stem from innumerable causes. It requires an experienced diagnostician to find the root of the problem. Also, many times the problem is found by ruling out other medical conditions. It is also important to remember the cause of one’s balance or dizziness problem may change over time.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Your balance specialist will take a medical history and conduct an extensive assessment to develop a diagnosis and patient specific plan of care to address one’s dizziness and balance problem.

Treatments

Treatment plans vary upon the contributing condition(s).Generally, adaptation, habituation, and compensation are the techniques of choice for treatment, depending on the diagnosis. Your Balance Specialist will create an individualized program with activities to:

• Re-educate your vestibular, body positioning (somatosensory), and/or visual
• Train and educate on weight transfers and movement strategies
• Strengthen muscles which support healthy balance
• Teach the central nervous system to adapt for inner ear conditions
• Maneuver to reposition (get rid of “ear rock”) “ear crystals”to treat the sensation of vertigo (room spinning/shifting).This varies from one to several treatments.
• Build an appropriate level of confidence in one’s balance

Collaborative Management of Condition

We work closely with your Primary Care Physician, Neurologist, Ear/Nose/Throat doctor, and/or Audiologist to find and resolve balance and dizziness conditions.

Education

Your Balance Specialist will give you a home exercise program and teach you strategies that will give you the confidence to return to your activities of living.

Call today to schedule with a therapist who has specialized in the treatment of balance disorders.

You can access our services in Salt Lake, Summit, or Davis counties in one of our outpatient clinic locations
Salt Lake City | Murray | Draper | Park City | Bountiful