PT Tips: Why Do Vestibular Exercises Make Me Feel Worse (Temporarily)?

[@pimpompoom93726]

I'm going through PT for a balance disorder right now, this is good information-thanks!

[@elizabethplane9868]

Thank you. I’m new at the prescribed exercises.

[@aprilmoon7680]

I was getting better during the first 3 weeks of doing vestibular exercises but now have a set back and baseline symptoms have worsen the last few days. Is this be part of normal recovery?? Thank you for your videos, they have been a great help!

[@juliapetersen3944]

I had some of this vestibular therapy as I have BPPV. I hated how it made me feel and quit the therapy because it was hard to return to my baseline. Apparently, I just needed to let him know it was too much--I also have a people pleasing thing, so I let him push me too hard, my bad. I am deaf in my right ear-profound SNHL. Does this make my balance harder to maintain? I'm 56 and feel like my balance is getting worse doing simple things. I will be checking out your youtube channel, thank you!

[@MovementFunction]

Julia, I apologize for the delayed response. Yes, SNHL affects balance and may make it harder to maintain balance during daily movement and activity. You might benefit from physical therapy for balance training. I have a series of balance videos on my channel, starting with beginner level, including many modifications for incremental progression. An in-person round of PT for balance would likely be very helpful for you, too. All the best!!

[@lynnshawback9055]

My wife has the same systems and glasses are worst than contact lenses. Amazing how floating in the ocean all and I mean ALL symptoms disappear!

[@isareyes6]

I also feel so much better with contacts than glasses for the last 10 years.

[@rochellesumeray4213]

When you say “dizziness” do you mean vertigo ? I have a kind of disequilibrium. Fatigue a lot of the time. Perhaps it’s what I have. Vestibular Fatigue, feeling unsteady on my feet especially when I’m not wearing my contact lenses and difficult standing and focussing. Lots of things actually. Who do I ask to see. I am in the UK.

[@MovementFunction]

Rochelle, dizziness might include vertigo, disequilibrium, feeling off balance, leaning or tipping to one side, and other symptoms. It certainly includes fatigue for many people. I suggest asking your primary care doctor for a referral to an ENT (ear, nose and throat doctor) or a neurologist for further vestibular testing, also an ophthalmologist for a vision exam. Also, ask for a referral to a physiotherapist who is skilled in vestibular rehabilitation. The physiotherapist may be able to see you sooner than the specialists and will perform an appropriate evaluation to get an idea of what is going on and start therapy if appropriate. All the best!

[@naturelover1284]

@@MovementFunction Is a physiotherapist different than the vestibular therapist?

[@MovementFunction]

@@naturelover1284 A vestibular therapist is a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular rehabilitation. Not every physical therapist is well-trained in vestibular rehab and it is very different than what most physical therapists do in a typical outpatient clinic. Also, not every physical therapist uses the label or title of vestibular therapist. When seeking out a PT, I suggest asking if they have specialized training in vestibular rehabilitation.

[@ryanriddle5534]

Thank you for this video. I’m struggling through a vestibular program- it’s not so much that exercises increase my symptoms, it’s that my day-to-day baseline has become so high that I’m not able to progress. Any thoughts on how I should proceed? My doctor tells me to keep pushing.

[@MovementFunction]

Hi Ryan. Thank you for your question. What you describe is not unusual during vestibular rehabilitation but needs to be addressed. Are you working with a physical therapist or doing vestibular rehab on your own? If you are working with a PT, talk with them about your daily baseline to see if you can determine what be causing the increase and think about possible ways to address this. For example, there might be certain daily activities that are pushing you above the threshold or it might be the overall intensity of an entire day’s worth of activity (including VRT exercises). A well-structured vestibular program is a balancing act that takes into consideration daily life demands along with VRT exercises and it pushes just enough to provide adequate stimulation without overwhelming your system. And it might change day to day... If you are not working with a PT at this time, you might look at VeDA’s directory for a vestibular specialist in your area. vestibular.org/healthcare-directory/. If you would like to talk with me more about this, please send me a private message through my website at movementfunctionmaui.com/contact-1. All the best!

[@jonathankhoo1718]

Thanks so much

[@DiamondForevah]

Is it normal to feel exhausted after vrt? Like I have to rest and sleep

[@ThePaurp]

Yes

[@MovementFunction]

Yes, feeling tired and needing a rest break is common. However, if you feel so exhausted that it is interrupting your life, that is too much. You might try doing fewer exercises, fewer repetitions, move at a slower speed, etc., to decrease the intensity. If you are working with a PT, tell them what you're experiencing and ask them to help you modify your program. All the best!

[@dfryer1222]

Does anyone see a link? I can't find one. Is the woman from UM or VEDA?

[@dfryer1222]

Could someone tell me if she's from veda or the u of m?

[@VestibularVeDA]

Hi, Dr. Beth Wagner is one of VeDA’s volunteers on our Patient Education Committee. She has been a Physical Therapist since 2008. In 2020 she started her KZbin channel (kzbin.info/door/NlPXfdkhKuyx252Ql67BOQ) that provides a wide range of exercises for various diagnoses. 2021 launched telehealth services, to include online coaching, specializing in vestibular rehabilitation. You may read more about her on her VeDA Clinical Directory Profile (vestibular.org/members/bwagner9gmail-com/?origin=healthcare-directory%3F_name%3Delizabeth) and on her own website MovementFunctionPT.com

[@naturelover1284]

In a 6 week program I felt pushed and it overstimulated my ocular reflex. Is it not recommendable to take another week or two before you move onto the nest week? The PT's push and you may never meet the goal.

[@MovementFunction]

Nature Lover, every program should be tailored to the individual. Some people are able to progress the exercises every week (to the degree they are able to handle it). Many others need a slower pace and rest breaks of a few days or a week or more before moving onto the next progression. Be sure to tell your PT exactly what you're feeling and your concerns about the pace. Communication is key so that you understand why you are being pushed and your PT understands what you're experiencing so that they can incorporate rest breaks. Ideally, together you can modify your program to help you recover appropriately. All the best!

[@raulgonzalez3658]

How long that it take, to be normal again?

[@user-mw1ew3ne8g]

How often should you do the rehab rxercises. Is daily okay?

[@VestibularVeDA]

Hi, How often you would want to do the exercises will deepened on your treatment plan. Each plan is individualized for the person and the symptoms they are presenting. This is something that your PT would provide after an assessment, evaluation. I encourage you to speak to your PT if they have not provided you with a guideline.