Vestibular & Concussion Rehabilitation

In order to maintain balance and kinesthetic awareness, the brain receives sensory input from the eyes (visual information), muscles and joints (proprioceptive information) and the vestibular system (inner ear) which sends information about motion, equilibrium, and spatial orientation. Once received, the brain integrates all this information and as a result, directs motor output to the eyes and body muscles.  Injury, disease, aging and even certain drugs (including medications to treat vertigo), can impact this intricate network and lead to symptoms of dizziness and disorientation.

In addition to dizziness/vertigo, other symptoms of a vestibular disorder may include imbalance, lack of coordination, intolerance to motion, visual disturbances, lightheadedness,  a "swimming" or "off" feeling in the head, and repeated falls. 

The most common conditions that Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy addresses include: Motion Sickness, Labyrinthitus/Vestibular Neuritis, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Unilateral/Bilateral Hypofunction and Meniere's Disease. Less common conditions and complex cases are successfully treated as well. 

A Fall Prevention Program is also available.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly resulting in the brain bouncing around or twisting within the skull creating chemical changes and potential damage. The leading causes of concussions are falls, car accidents, sports injuries and acts of violence. 

Symptoms of a concussion can be immediate or can takes hours, days or even weeks after the injury to appear. Common symptoms include dizziness, headache, mental fog, fatigue, blurred or double vision, nausea and imbalance. Loss of consciousness occurs in only 10% of concussion injuries. Any significant head injury, especially when involving a loss of consciousness, should be immediately taken to the emergency room for evaluation. 

Although previous treatment for concussion injuries simply involved rest and observation, current research shows that the negative effects of concussion injuries are likely prolonged by that approach. A substantially shorter rest period is encouraged with effective treatment involving accurate assessment of the affected areas of functioning followed by a targeted rehabilitation program. The concussion management approach of rest alone is not enough.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment in the relief of vestibular and concussion symptoms when used in conjunction with Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy and/or Concussion Rehabilitation.  Chiropractic physicians specialize in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system which functions integratively with the visual and vestibular systems.