Where should you look for vestibular resources?
Identify the goals of your search
We have always been advocates of knowledge translation and patient education. From our point of view, patients and clients who understand their diagnosis and the “why” behind treatment have improved participation in and greater outcomes from rehabilitation. With that said, the world of vestibular conditions is quite convoluted, and in many ways our understanding of the role of physical therapy in vestibular rehabilitation has increased greatly in the previous two decades.
Before logging into “Google University”, we HIGHLY encourage patients to discuss educational resources and community support options with their health care team, who know them and their unique presentation most intimately. These providers will have the best insight into what resources would benefit your unique presentation. With that said, we have found patients have three questions: “What is going on?”, “What am I suppose to do about it?” and “Do other people experience this?”
Answering the question: What is going on?
In the initial stages of dizziness, there are many different diagnoses that can be the culprit. We DO NOT recommend patients attempt to self-diagnose, as these conditions are particular in nature. So particular, in fact, that an entire field of neurology known as “Neuro-Otology” has developed around understanding the vestibular system. Three medical organizations within the United States that focus on this area are the American Neurotology Society, the the American Otological Society, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery. These organizations have “find a provider” information, which we have found helpful to connect patients and medical providers.
In addition to these medical organizations, several rehabilitation organizations exist to connect patients and medical providers with rehabilitation providers with knowledge of vestibular conditions. The two primary organizations in this realm are the American Physical Therapy Association’s Neurology Section- Vestibular Special Interest Group and the Vestibular Disorders Association. We encourage patients to start here- find providers who specialize in this area, and build your team for success. The APTA has a unique “Find A Provider” page, in which you can filter for neurologic clinical specialists within a certain radius to find care near you.
Providing direction: What am I suppose to do about it?
There are three main pillars we recommend patients use to support themselves. These are medical management, rehabilitation management, and community connection. We have found patients who have medical management and community resources, in addition to the knowledge and activities we perform, have the best prognosis for decreasing symptoms and improving their quality of life. The organizations listed above allow you to create a team of medical and rehabilitation providers in your community.
The third pillar, and often the hardest for patients, is to consistently follow through with management and rehabilitation advice. If vestibular rehabilitation is deemed appropriate, you may find the exercises to be monotonous and provoking to your symptoms. While challenging, the preponderance of evidence supports vestibular rehabilitation for peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Your rehabilitation team will teach you both the exercises that will improve your function and improve your symptoms burden over time, as well as teach symptoms management techniques, including grounding and breathing strategies.
Find Community: Do other People Experience This?
The short answer- YES! An entire chapter of the Handbook of Clinical Neurology, published in its 3rd series in 2016, indicates approximately 1.4% of adults will experience vestibular vertigo for the first time each year. In addition, 7.9% of adults will experience vertigo at some point in their lives, and 15% of the adult population have experienced dizziness or balance problems in the last 12 months.
Many communities and non-profits exist to provide advocacy and a sense of community to patients and families. In addition to the resources above, we recommend exploring this list of non-profits complied by our colleagues at Vestibular First- a medical technologies company focused on vestibular rehabilitation based out of Philadelphia.
