skip to content »

Center for Balance Disorders

Houston, Texas

not shown on screen

Vestibular Rehabilitation

  • What is vestibular rehabilitation? Helen Cohen, EdD, OTR
  • What are the justifications for referral?
  • What are the goals of therapy?
  • What are typical diagnoses?
  • What does the evaluation assess?
  • What kind of rehabilitation is done?
  • How do I get a referral?

    • What is vestibular rehabilitation?

    • A non-invasive approach for patients with vestibular and balance disorders.
    • A systematic, individually designed regimen of exercises and activities that address the unique needs of individual patients.

    What are the justifications for referral?

    • Positional vertigo
    • Persistent vertigo
    • History of falls
    • Motion sensitivity
    • Headache, stiff neck
    • Visual motion disturbances
    • Blurred vision
    • Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)
    • Poor balance
    Back to the top.

    What are the goals of therapy?

    • Decrease frequency, intensity, and duration of vertigo
    • Decrease related symptoms such as headache, nausea, and lightheadedness
    • Improve balance
    • Increase independence in daily life
    • Develop compensatory strategies for coping with dizziness, disequilibrium, and anxiety
    Back to the top.

    What are typical diagnoses?

    • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
    • Labyrinthitis
    • Vestibular neuronitis
    • Chronic vestibulopathy
    • Disequilibrium of aging
    • Post-surgical imbalance
    • Connective tissue disorders
    • Bilateral vestibular weakness from ototoxicity
    • Vertigo of unknown etiology
    Back to the top.

    What does the evaluation assess?

    • Level of vertigo or other dizziness
    • Motions that stimulate vertigo
    • Functional balance
    • Mobility skills
    • Musculoskeletal function
    • Independence in basic self-care skills and other daily life tasks
    Back to the top.

    What kind of rehabilitation is done?

    • Exercises and activities to decrease vertigo
    • Repositioning maneuvers and exercises for positional vertigo
    • Balance retraining
    • Counseling for safety equipment
    • Safety training and other mobility skills
    • Training in activities of daily living
    Back to the top.

    How do I get a referral?

    • Must have a written prescription for occupational therapy from a physician
    • Physician should indicate diagnosis
    • Hours: Monday-Friday, 10a.m.-5p.m.
    • Phone: 713-798-6336
    • Fax: 713-798-8658
    • Spanish translators available
    Back to the top.