Vestibular (Balance) Rehabilitation

About Vestibular (Balance) Rehabilitation

Vestibular Rehabilitation at Tampa Bay Physical Therapy is a specialized form of therapy designed to treat dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, and instability caused by inner ear or neurological conditions. The vestibular system—located in the inner ear—plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation. When it’s disrupted, even simple movements can trigger dizziness, unsteadiness, or nausea. Our goal is to retrain the brain and body to restore equilibrium, reduce dizziness, and improve confidence in motion.

What Does Vestibular Rehabilitation Entail?

Your therapy begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your balance, eye movement, gait, and reflex responses. Based on the results, we develop a personalized program that may include gaze stabilization exercises, habituation training, balance retraining, and postural control techniques. These exercises help recalibrate the vestibular system and teach your body how to compensate for any inner ear dysfunction.

Find Your Balance Again.

Common Conditions We Treat

  • Vertigo (including BPPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
  • Chronic dizziness and imbalance
  • Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis
  • Motion sensitivity
  • Post-concussion dizziness
  • Age-related balance decline
  • Unexplained unsteadiness or falls

Why Therapy is Necessary

Vestibular disorders can make everyday activities—like standing up, walking, or turning your head—feel unpredictable or unsafe. Left untreated, these symptoms can lead to anxiety, inactivity, and an increased risk of falling. Vestibular Rehabilitation retrains your brain to interpret movement correctly, helping you regain control, stability, and confidence. By improving your balance and reducing dizziness, it allows you to return to normal life with greater independence.

FAQs

  • What causes vestibular disorders?

    They can result from inner ear infections, head injuries, aging, or neurological conditions that affect the balance centers of the brain.

  • What does vestibular therapy feel like?

    Some exercises may temporarily provoke dizziness, but this is part of retraining the system—symptoms typically lessen as therapy progresses.

  • How long does treatment take?

    Most patients notice improvement within a few weeks. Chronic or complex cases may require ongoing sessions for optimal recovery.

  • Can I do the exercises at home?

    Yes. Your therapist will provide customized home exercises to complement your in-clinic sessions.

  • Is vestibular rehab safe for older adults?

    Absolutely. It’s one of the most effective and safest methods for reducing fall risk and improving balance in older populations.

Features & Benefits

Reduced Dizziness and Vertigo

Targets the root cause of imbalance for long-term symptom relief.

Improved Stability and Coordination

Enhances balance and body awareness for safer, more confident movement.

Faster Recovery from Inner Ear Disorders

Retrains your brain to adapt to vestibular changes or damage.

Fall Prevention

Strengthens coordination and control, lowering the risk of falls and injuries.

Personalized Training Programs

Tailored to your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and comfort level.

Renewed Confidence and Independence

Restores control of your movement, empowering you to live without fear of dizziness or imbalance.

Steady Steps. Clear Mind. Confident Movement.

Why Choose Tampa Bay Physical Therapy?

Stronger Body

We help you create a stronger body that's more resistant to strains and injury in future activity.

Faster Recovery

Physical therapy is proven to enhance the recovery time following injuries or surgical operations.

Get Active

Therapy is designed to enhance your motor skills and allow you to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

Easy Scheduling

Schedule your care online, by phone, or with your therapist following your treatment.

Get Educated

What you learn from physical therapy applies to the rest of your life. Learn to take care of your body right.

Chart Progress

We chart your progress so that you can see how far you've come, and what it takes to see the finish.