Remaining active can help you cope in several ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, socially.
Of course, you want to choose activities that are tolerable for you. A vestibular therapist can develop a program specific to you and your symptoms and also help you to progress your activities over time.
To avoid triggering your symptoms related to head movement while enjoying a dinner date with friends, choose to sit at the head of the table. You’ll be able to maintain eye contact during conversation without moving your head back and forth so much.
Education is everything. Remember that your vestibular disorder is invisible to others. You don’t have a sling on or runny nose as a visual cue that something may be wrong. It’s important to communicate not only your needs to your loved ones, but also explain what your vestibular system does. If they understand the role of your vestibular system, they’ll better understand how it affects your daily life.
Who doesn’t love a good To-Do List?! Living with a vestibular disorder can be exhausting and stressful. Keep your fatigue and stress level in check by identifying your priorities and attending to them. Keep in mind, there may be tasks you can delegate!
Environments with a lot going on may trigger symptoms. Requesting a table away from the particularly stimulating areas of the restaurant will make for a more enjoyable meal. Enjoy!
Still getting dizzy when you move your head, but don’t want to miss your kid’s game? Try changing your seats!
Some vestibular disorders may result in sensitivity to light. Throwing on a hat or sunglasses can help calm the light and allow you to still enjoy the outdoors!
Most people don’t know that their vestibular system exists until something goes wrong. Your clinician will teach you about the role of your vestibular system and how it impacts your everyday life. You’ll also discuss how vestibular therapy works (it’s pretty cool stuff… at least we think so!)
Of course, if you’ve had any vestibular testing, such as a VNG, your clinician will want to know the results. Additionally, it’s helpful to know the results of any imaging you’ve had on your head/brain. Was your MRI normal? How about your hearing and vision exams?
There are a few cases where homework may not initially be recommended. For the majority, your clinician will recommend specific exercises. In order to recover faster, it is up to you to follow the recommendations at home.
And believe it or not, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! If your clinician can determine what triggers your symptoms, it is very likely that therapy will help you. Keeping this in mind, it’s not a bad idea to have a family member or friend join you.
Your history is a very important part of your initial evaluation. Many times, your clinician has a good idea of what is going on based on your history alone. Thus, be prepared for a lot of questions. When did your symptoms begin? How long do they last? What activities trigger them? The list goes on…
For those who haven’t yet heard, rest is not best when it comes to recovering from a sport-related concussion.
McCrory P, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport-the 5th international conference on concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016. Br J Sports Med, 2017;51:838-847.
Let’s learn a little more about the most common cause of vertigo: BPPV.
We've talked about the psychological impact of vestibular disorders, but what can we do about it?
Vestibular disorders often cause more than just dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance...
Our founder, Abbie, enjoyed a weekend of learning, educating, networking, and catching up with colleagues at the APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting in Washington, D.C.
If you've never heard of your vestibular system, you are not alone. Most don't know much about it until something goes wrong. This video provides a brief introduction.