Vestibular Therapy in North Charleston, SC

Advanced Certification in Vestibular Care

Premier Physical Therapy proudly holds both AIB clinic certification and employs AIB-VRC certified therapists, representing the highest standards in vestibular rehabilitation. As an AIB-certified clinic, we maintain advanced diagnostic equipment and follow evidence-based protocols established by the American Institute of Balance, a leading authority in vestibular care. Our AIB-VRC certified therapists have completed specialized training in diagnosing and treating balance disorders, ensuring expert care delivery. This dual certification is a distinction that sets us apart from non-certified clinics, as it requires additional training, specialized equipment, and adherence to strict treatment protocols. For our patients, this means receiving comprehensive vestibular care from specifically trained specialists using the most current, proven techniques, potentially leading to more accurate diagnoses and efficient recovery.

Addressing Root Causes of Disequilibrium with Vestibular Therapy in North Charleston, SC

The vestibular system within the inner ear plays a prominent yet often overlooked role in coordinating spatially-calibrated movement. Dysfunction upends this critical sensing equipment.

Some frequent disorders we successfully treat include:

• BPPV – Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo provoking positioning-induced spinning sensations when crystals become dislodged in semicircular canals. Gravity-dependent movement exacerbates symptoms.
• Vestibular neuritis – Inflammation of nerves elicits severe vertigo with nausea, troubled vision focus, gait challenges. Episodes arise suddenly.
• Ménière’s disease – Fluid buildup causes intermittent severe vertigo lasting hours alongside low-tone tinnitus and potential hearing loss during acute attacks.
• Acoustic neuroma – Noncancerous vestibular nerve tumors pressed against inner ear structures contribute to loss of balance control.
• Migraine-related dizziness – Brain-inner ear connections become disrupted triggering vertigo.

Our therapists identify the specific underlying cause then customize treatment to target and train compensatory mechanisms for recalibrating spatial orientation perception and skills.

Customized Treatment for Lasting Adaptation

No singular set of interventions works universally for vestibular disorders since presentation varies widely based on factors like comorbidities and duration since onset.

That’s why our skilled clinicians design targeted treatment plans uniquely catered to your situation leveraging combinations of:

• Canalith repositioning maneuvers
• Gaze stabilization exercises
• Habituation techniques
• Balance and gait retraining
• Motion sensitivity desensitization
• Visual dependency adaptation training
• Relaxation techniques

We continually adjust protocols based on symptoms and demonstrated progress working collaboratively towards self-management once acute flare-ups resolve.

Why Vestibular Therapy Works

Traditional medication-based models for managing dizzy spells provide only mild, temporary relief by dampening inner ear signals. Vestibular therapy takes the opposite approach – strategically exposure sensitizes systems. Through gradual, controlled challenge exposures, the brain learns to filter out noisy signals and reweight sensory dominance. With compensatory pathways reinforced through specific exercises, chronic imbalance resolves. Essentially, vestibular therapy reboots faulty internal spatial orientation hardware via structured neuroplasticity-based rehabilitation. By refining inner ear efficiency, clarity and comfort return.

FAQs: Key Questions Answered

What activities occur during vestibular therapy sessions?
Sessions incorporate guided exercises like saccadic eye movement drills, multi-plane balance reactions through perturbed stance, habituation platforms, and progressive gait training to bolster gaze stability and equilibrium reactions.

What makes your vestibular rehabilitation program different from others?
As an AIB-certified clinic with AIB-VRC certified therapists, we provide vestibular care that meets the highest industry standards. Our therapists receive specialized training through the American Institute of Balance and utilize advanced diagnostic equipment and proven treatment protocols. This certification ensures you receive care from experts specifically trained in vestibular rehabilitation using the most current, evidence-based techniques. While many clinics offer vestibular therapy, our dual AIB certifications demonstrate our commitment to excellence in diagnosing and treating balance disorders.

How many therapy sessions are required?
While programs range in length averaging 6-8 weeks with weekly sessions, high-intensity adaptations like Cawthorne-Cooksey training produce results in as little as 2-4 weeks though gentler geriatric approaches may proceed longer based on individual variables.

How frequently should I attend therapy?
Initially 1-2x weekly allows efficient progressions though tapered to monthly or prn maintenance checks once acute symptoms stabilize.

What triggers loss of balance and dizziness?
Inner ear infections, nerve inflammation, crystals displacing or medication side effects tip the delicate vestibular equilibrium swiftly causing sensory mismatch making even routine motions disorienting and provoking sudden falls.

About The Author

Jordan Sechler, a Physical Therapist Assistant has a certification from the American Institute of Balance in Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussions. Her years of experience and dedication unlocks physical potential for a better quality of life. At Premier Physical Therapy in North Charleston, SC, she wields a patient-centered approach, with cutting-edge techniques to conquer a vast array of physical challenges.