Movement is Life VeDA’s partnership with Urban Poling in North America has focused on the unique Rehabilitation Poles – The Activator’s – which are used by many balance disorder sufferers, and recommended by vestibular physiotherapists. The Poles even have their own special technique of use called “the Activator Technique”, that maximises up to four point’s of balance and a wide balance area, thus promoting confidence to once again move in safety.  Activator UK (www.ActivatorUK.co.uk) is the newly launched UK site serving the balance community in Great Britain. Along with purchase of the Poles, free video content is supplied to provide expert physiotherapist guidance on how to set up your poles and how to learn the Activator technique. For a small additional cost there is also a 30-minute dedicated video course on rehabilitation exercises for those with poor balance – “a first” in the UK, and given the limited access to […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Feb 3 2025 18:48    View Full Story...

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a debilitating condition that involves persistent dizziness, a feeling of unsteadiness, and imbalance, which impacts daily functioning and quality of life. The average PPPD patient is in their mid-40s, with this condition predominately affecting women. As of now, an exact cause has not been identified, but it is thought to be worsened with postural (body) movement and exposure to intense visual stimulus (e.g., busy patterns, objects in motion). The complexity of this condition, as well as the symptoms, presents a challenge for clinicians with regards to diagnosis and treatment interventions. The authors of this review paper explore the disorder etiology along with the commonly encountered clinical challenges with PPPD.  The authors discuss the diagnostic criteria developed by the Bárány Society. The diagnosis of PPPD requires (1) symptoms of dizziness, unsteadiness, or non-spinning vertigo that are present on most days for several hours and lasting for […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Jan 30 2025 18:21    View Full Story...

If the Epley Maneuver, a common treatment for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), is no longer resolving your symptoms, it could be due to several factors. Why the Epley May Not Be Working Incorrect Diagnosis Non-BPPV Condition: Your dizziness might not be caused by BPPV. Other vestibular conditions, such as vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, or a vestibular migraine, could be at play. Different Cause of Dizziness: Dizziness or vertigo can arise from non-vestibular causes like cardiovascular issues, anxiety, or cervical spine problems. Incorrect Canal Treated Wrong Canal Involved: BPPV can affect any of the three semicircular canals in the inner ear. The Epley Maneuver is effective for posterior canal BPPV, but if the horizontal or anterior canal is affected, different maneuvers (e.g., the BBQ Roll for horizontal canal or Deep Head Hanging Maneuver for anterior canal) may be required. Persistent Otoconia Stubborn Debris: The calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) causing BPPV […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Jan 29 2025 17:19    View Full Story...

The study titled “Vestibular patients generate more regular head movements than healthy individuals during gaze-stabilization exercises,” authored by Michael Schubert and colleagues, investigates differences in head movement patterns between vestibular patients and healthy controls during gaze-stabilization exercises. Key Findings: Regularity of Head Movements: Vestibular patients exhibited more regular and consistent head movements compared to healthy individuals during gaze-stabilization exercises. This increased regularity may reflect a compensatory strategy to manage their vestibular deficits. Head Movement Kinematics: Patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular loss demonstrated significant changes in head-motion kinematics during these exercises, suggesting alterations in motor control strategies to maintain gaze stability. Implications for Rehabilitation: Understanding these differences in head movement patterns can inform the development of more effective vestibular rehabilitation protocols, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with vestibular disorders. This research contributes to the understanding of motor control adaptations in individuals with vestibular dysfunction and highlights the importance of tailored rehabilitation strategies […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Jan 16 2025 23:28    View Full Story...

Featuring Rick Siemon, vestibular patient and VeDA Ambassador. Rick was out for a run the first time the vertigo hit. He was struck by a world that was suddenly spinning. He almost didn’t make it home. At first it went away, so he chalked it up to dehydration and lack of sleep. But over the course of a couple of months, things went from bad to worse. Rick noticed that certain sounds had become unbearable, his balance was getting less and less reliable, and he started having episodes of vertigo several times each week. He realized something was seriously wrong. The First Step Towards Balance Rick was eventually diagnosed with Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD). That meant that there was a surgery that would help him regain his balance and reduce the dizziness. It took many months of waiting, but finally, after a whole year of suffering, Rick got the […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Jan 15 2025 19:00    View Full Story...

Health disparities (HD) can have a devastating impact on individuals as well as the healthcare system. Health disparities can be linked to several factors such as access to health insurance, socioeconomic status, access to means of transportation, employment status, sick time, and physical proximity to a healthcare facility. Health disparities exist in every field, including physical therapy. Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) is an area of practice within physical therapy that addresses dizziness and imbalance that can be attributed to vestibular system dysfunction. Access to VR can be limited and impacted by a variety of factors including geographic location. The study “Investigating health disparities in vestibular rehabilitation” published in the Journal of Vestibular Research(2024), examined whether health disparities exist in vestibular rehabilitation (VR) between individuals identifying as Caucasian and those identifying as racial or ethnic minorities (REM). Conducting a retrospective chart review of 343 patients from three clinics who attended outpatient VR […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Dec 30 2024 17:58    View Full Story...

Sense of Direction in Vestibular Disorders In this article, published in the Journal of Vestibular Research, the current research regarding the impact of vestibular impairment on sense of direction (SOD) is explored. SOD refers to our ability to navigate ourselves from one place to another in relation to objects in our environment. SOD requires complex spatial cognitive processes that task us to understand both external environmental information through use of maps, landmarks, and spatial memory as well as internal information from sensory inputs that allow us to perceive self-motion, such as direction and speed (Wolbers and Hegarty, 2010). The integration of input from the vestibular, visual, and spinal/proprioceptive systems are responsible for our perception of self-motion. This multisensory system not only results in our ability maintain balance and keep our visual field in focus when we are moving, but also significantly contributes to our SOD. Although the physiologic contribution of […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Dec 19 2024 22:10    View Full Story...

What Is Oscillopsia? Oscillopsia is the perception of the environment, or your visual field, moving when it’s actually stationary. This symptom can feel like the world is shifting, bouncing, shimmering, or “jiggling,” particularly when a person moves their head or walks. This visual disturbance occurs because of abnormal or unstable eye movements, which prevent the brain from maintaining a steady image on the retina (the back part of the eye). It can significantly impair balance and daily activities. Symptoms of oscillopsia include: Blurred or shaky vision, especially during head or eye movements. Difficulty reading or focusing on stationary objects. Dizziness or disorientation. Headaches and/or nausea. Oscillopsia often results from conditions affecting the stability of eye movements, such as nystagmus (uncontrolled repetitive eye movements) or damage to the vestibular or oculomotor systems. Fixational eye movements play a critical role in how we perceive our surroundings. While they are generally subtle and […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Dec 10 2024 01:18    View Full Story...

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has affected over 750 million people and continues to increase. The nature and duration of symptoms experienced due to this disease vary widely among individuals. 43% of people who have had COVID-19 experience symptoms for months post diagnosis. This led the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify these individuals as having post-COVID condition (PCC). PCC is specifically described as individuals having had the SARS-CoV-2 infection with symptoms that last for 2 months or greater. Over 200 symptoms affecting multiple body systems have been identified in individuals with PCC, the most common being fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, pain, nausea, sore throat, and dizziness. Of importance is the symptom of dizziness, as it has a detrimental effect on an individual’s quality of life and society as a whole. The link between dizziness and PCC is not fully understood but thought to occur as a result of […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Nov 18 2024 00:32    View Full Story...

The holidays can be both an enjoyable and stressful time for those with vestibular disorders and dizziness. Whether you are traveling, attending social/family events, or indulging in yummy meals, we have some tips and recommendations to ease your stress and allow you to enjoy this special time of year! Getting ready Think through all the things that could go wrong. How can you prepare? What supplies do you need to address potential problems? Make a plan for various scenarios. How do you get back to safety and comfort? How do you recover? How do you manage stress? Check out this activity planner by Glenn Schweitzer at Mind Over Meniere’s. Travel Tips If travel is difficult for you, consider visiting local friends or family rather than taking an extended/longer trip. When staying at a high-rise hotel, ask for a room on a lower level to avoid long elevator rides. When traveling […]

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VEDA - Published Sun Nov 17 2024 23:40    View Full Story...