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...

By Karen R Mizrach, BSW, MEd, Vestie Many people who are affected by vestibular symptoms and disorders often have to quit work, or at least take time away. It is a life changing situation to cope with a medical challenge, never mind having to leave jobs, identities, and paychecks behind. But as we become educated about our diagnoses and find treatments and/or strategies that help get us back on our feet (pun intended), it might become time to consider heading back to work. Returning to a prior workplace has many advantages over starting somewhere new or starting a whole new kind of job. You know the environment. You are familiar with the expectations and work tasks. You know your co-workers, and probably some of those people are aware of your condition. Before you rush back, think it through, communicate with people at home and work, and plan carefully in order […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Nov 1 2024 18:00    View Full Story...

By Rochelle Lauzon, VeDA Ambassador and Physical Therapy Student This past September, during Balance Awareness Week, I had the pleasure of attending the 4th Annual ANPT Conference (Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy) in Columbus, OH. I am a VeDA Ambassador, a vestibular patient, and I’m currently in school to become a vestibular physical therapist (PT), so this focused-topic conference was a perfect fit for me. I was only one of three PT students to attend. It was amazing to both learn from PTs who already work in the neuro/vestibular PT fields, and provide my perspective as a student and a vestibular patient. Vestibular content was just a one part of the conference, but there was plenty of opportunity to learn and see advocacy in action. I was able to sit with the Vestibular SIG (special interest group) networking lunch, where I met other PTs who specialize in vestibular rehabilitation. These […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Oct 30 2024 15:05    View Full Story...

By Caitlyn Toretto 9 doctors. 4 tests and scans. 8 months of seeking a diagnosis. 3 misdiagnoses. 11 treatment trials. Countless debilitating days, sleepless nights, and hours incessantly researching. This is my quantitative journey with vestibular migraine over the last 4 years, one that I know many (if not most) vestibular migraineurs will relate to. The most shocking statistic, though, remains the alarming prevalence of vestibular migraine – estimated to affect 1% of the global population (totaling MILLIONS of people) – juxtaposed with barely anyone, including medical professionals, knowing much about it. Exactly one person in my life, my brilliant sister-in-law, was familiar with vestibular migraine when I was eventually diagnosed. I certainly wasn’t. The Search For Help When my world quite literally turned upside down in January 2020 and I could not get clarity from my doctors, I found invaluable resources and comfort through books like Heal Your Headache […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Oct 15 2024 18:00    View Full Story...

Making Vestibular Visible The vestibular community came together September 15-21, 2024 for the 28th annual Balance Awareness Week (BAW), a global event to raise awareness about vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and conditions caused by damage to the vestibular system. Most people take their balance for granted. But when the delicate organs of the inner and brain that control balance are damaged, your world can literally be turned upside down. Vestibular patients have a long road to diagnosis, and because there is no “cure” many have to learn to manage their symptoms and adjust to a “new normal.” Vestibular disorders are invisible to the observer. Friends, family, coworkers, and even healthcare professionals often don’t “get” what a person with a vestibular condition is experiencing, and sometimes accuse them of malingering, or even making it up. That’s why raising awareness about vestibular conditions and the impact they have on people’s lives is so […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Oct 8 2024 22:47    View Full Story...

Denise Schneider, DPT, FAAOMPT Effectiveness of Specific and Individual Instructions by a Physical Therapist to Improve Outcomes For Vestibular Rehabilitation at Home The Vestibular System The vestibular system, composed of the inner ear and parts of the brain, works in conjunction with other body systems to provide balance and stability. When the vestibular system is not working properly, an individual may experience dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, motion sensitivity, and/or falls. This can have a detrimental effect on one’s physical and emotional well-being. People may experience hindrance with daily activities, decreased ability to participate in activities outside the home, a progressive sedentary lifestyle, a lack of independence, and an increased risk for falls. Furthermore, the emotional toll that it takes on a person potentially includes fear of movement, avoidance of social interactions, anxiety, depression, and lack of self-esteem. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is recommended and proven to be a […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Oct 1 2024 18:00    View Full Story...