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Vestibular Imbalance

The vestibular system is made up of the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information that controls balance and eye movements. Vestibular disorders arise as a result of damage to this system.

Almost 70 million people have experienced vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives. The majority of vestibular disorders in adults often go undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in a diminished quality of life and inability to perform normal day-to-day activities.

The Symptoms

Symptoms of vestibular disorders can greatly diminish quality of life and impact all aspects of daily living. Patients suffering from vestibular disorders often experience:

  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Vertigo, the sensation of spinning
  • Nausea
  • Impaired postural control
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Reduced Focus
  • Fatigue

Secondarily, vestibular imbalance can also contribute to emotional problems like anxiety and depression. Often, people suffering from vestibular disorders also adopt a sedentary lifestyle in order to avoid the primary symptoms, like dizziness and imbalance. As a result, decreased muscle strength and flexibility, increased joint stiffness, and reduced stamina can occur.

The Causes

Vestibular disorders can also result from or be worsened by genetic or environmental conditions, or occur for unknown reasons. Most commonly, causes include inner ear infections or disorders, migraines, tumors, stroke, or head injury.

The most commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and perilymph fistula. Complications from autoimmune disorders and allergies can also cause vestibular imbalance.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Evidence has shown that vestibular rehabilitation can be effective in improving symptoms related to many vestibular disorders.

Head and neck exercises designed to help the brain “correct” difference between your inner ears, as well as exercises designed to improve balance, can be instrumental to helping eliminate symptoms.

Additionally, OSPTKY’s physical therapists can help correct issues with balance and walking once vertigo has stopped.

The OSPTKY Difference

Specialty-Level Care

Target your discomfort at the source with a customized treatment plan.

More Board Certified Experts

Experience high-quality care from a team you can trust.

Caring Physical Therapists

Gain a team of therapists committed to your recovery.

Vestibular Imbalance Treatment Locations

Jeffersonville

590 Missouri Avenue, Ste 201
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
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Hamburg

1868 Plaudit Place
Suite B
Lexington, KY 40509
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Lexington

230 W. Main Street
Suite B
Lexington, KY 40507
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Lincoln County

132 Frontier Boulevard
​Suite 106
Stanford, KY 40484
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Louisville

11330 Maple Brook Drive
Louisville, KY 40241
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Richmond

171 North Keeneland Drive
Richmond, KY 40475
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Performance Physical Therapy

460 East Brannon Road
Nicholasville, KY 40356
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Danville

474 Whirlaway Drive
Danville, KY 40422
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

Have more questions? Contact Us

People in Louisville, Lexington & Southern Indiana Trust OSPTKY

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

My therapist listened to me and used my history as her previous patient to treat me and I achieved pain relief after the 2nd session. I'm so thankful for her expertise and kindness.

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Kathyrn H.

OSPTKY Patient

PT was my last resort and they came through with flying colors. It is amazing how much my pain has gone away in a week. My therapist is extremely knowledgeable and was quick to know my issue. The entire staff is very organized and extremely nice!!

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Lindsey W.

OSPTKY Patient

Besides the absolute friendliest people in the world... I trust what these professionals say for me to do to become stronger!

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Nathan K.

OSPTKY Patient

The staff are all 110% top-notch! The goal is to not need to come to PT anymore but the dynamics and atmosphere they have created make you miss them as people! As an athlete, it is common for other athletes to ask for recommendations on who to see upon an injury, majority of the time OSPTKY & crew come up as the go-to solution! Life & aging are tough, they help make it stronger & easier!!!!

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OSPTKY Patient
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