Published on June 18, 2024

Could Your Inner Ear Benefit From Physical Therapy?

Image of woman holding her head and ear, in pain.

Do you feel dizzy when getting out of bed or rolling over? Do you have trouble walking down the aisle of the supermarket? Maybe, you have trouble scrolling on the computer or phone?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you may have an inner ear condition and benefit from an evaluation by a Certified Vestibular Therapist.  An evaluation is an interview of sorts where a physical therapist asks questions about your symptoms, including:

  • When your symptoms started.
  • What are you feeling when you have the symptoms?
  • When do you feel the symptoms?
    • Are there any movements that cause the symptoms?
    • Are there specific times of day that you feel the symptoms?

The answers to these questions help the therapist determine what testing is appropriate to figure out what may be going on.  The testing looks at:

  • How your vestibular system (or inner ear) is functioning.
  • How your eyes are moving to give information to your brain.
  • Your balance and proprioception (your sense of self-movement, force, and body position).
  • If the “crystals” in your inner ear are in proper placement.
  • Gait, or how you walk.

Based on the findings of the evaluation, your physical therapist can give you an idea of whether therapy intervention can help, or perhaps provide an appropriate referral to another doctor who could help.  Sometimes, it is appropriate to receive therapy as well as consult another medical professional who helps in combination with the vestibular therapy.

Treatment for vestibular diagnoses is individualized and designed to focus on what would be most beneficial for each person. These treatments will help assist you with getting back to the activities important to you. Treatment options may include:

  • Gait/balance exercises
  • Manual techniques by the therapist
  • Eye and head exercises
  • Family and patient education for self-management at home
  • Development of a home exercise program

If you are not sure if vestibular therapy could be helpful for you, reach out to a Certified Vestibular Therapist and ask!  We are happy to discuss if you would be a good candidate for vestibular therapy.

Jennifer Boden, P.T., D.P.T., is a certified Vestibular Rehabilitation physical therapist at MyMichigan Health Park in Bay City.