If you’ve been diagnosed with unilateral vestibular hypofunction—meaning you have reduced vestibular function on one side—you’re probably wondering: “What treatments or support are out there to help me get back to feeling balanced and grounded?” Let’s walk through it together. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an evidence-based approach and gold standard treatment for unilateral vestibular loss. It involves a comprehensive exercise-based program targeting specific impairments and functional limitations. VRT is provided specifically by trained therapists who have certifications or extensive coursework in this area. How VRT works The goal is compensation—your brain learns to substitute visual and sensory cues for the vestibular deficit, improving balance, gaze stability, and reducing vertigo. Types of exercises Habituation: Repeated, controlled exposure to movements that provoke dizziness, helping desensitize your system. Gaze stabilization: Exercises that improve your ability to focus while moving your head. Balance and gait training: Improving stability, awareness in space, and gait on […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Sep 12 2025 17:59    View Full Story...

As a physical therapist with five years of experience, I watched helplessly as my mother’s health slowly deteriorated before my eyes. In her early 50s, she had been complaining for years of persistent “rocking sensations.” At first, it seemed benign, something easily dismissed. But over time, her complaints grew more frequent and concerning. During a visit home, I noticed she could not stand or walk without holding on to furniture for support. As a PT, I knew this was a red flag—these were the same compensations I see in patients at risk for falls.   When I asked about her balance, she looked at me and said, “It’s this rocking. It’s violent, and it’s constant. I feel like I’m being thrashed around on a boat whether I’m lying down, sitting, or walking. If I let go, I’ll fall.” To my horror, she then admitted that she had fallen, more than once, […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Sep 6 2025 00:12    View Full Story...

Introduction Around 55% of people with migraines will at some point experience symptoms related to balance, like dizziness or vertigo. Many of these individuals might not even have headaches but mainly feel off-balance. They could be suffering from a type of migraine that affects the vestibular system. To help patients with vestibular migraine, doctors need to use a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and rehabilitation techniques. This holistic approach can offer the most effective long-term relief for patients. What is Vestibular Migraine? Migraine is the second leading cause of disability in the world. It typically presents as a throbbing headache on one side of the head. It can also cause other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea/vomiting, or an aura (a warning sign that a headache is approaching). Migraines can even make people feel dizzy or have vertigo. Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine and is […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Sep 5 2025 00:54    View Full Story...

Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Behind that number are real people living with dizziness, instability, and the fear of falling—challenges that can rob them of confidence, mobility, and independence. Falls are not an inevitable part of the aging process. With early detection and targeted interventions, many falls can be prevented. That’s the driving purpose of the Fight the Fall campaign, a nationwide initiative led by FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers in recognition of Balance Awareness Week (September 14–20) and National Falls Prevention Awareness Month. A Patient’s Story: Regaining Confidence After a Fall For Margaret, a retired teacher in her seventies, a sudden fall while gardening left more than just a bruised hip—it left her fearful of walking around her own home. “I stopped going to the community center and even avoided going outside unless someone was with me,” she recalls. That […]

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VEDA - Published Thu Sep 4 2025 20:45    View Full Story...

The study titled “Clinical Pathways in Vestibular Care: Referral Trends Between Vestibular Rehabilitation and Objective Vestibular Testing” included a medical chart review of patients who completed both vestibular rehabilitation (VR) —a specialized type of physical therapy— and objective vestibular testing (vestibular test battery; VTB) – testing completed by an audiologist. The study included 149 adult patients who were seen in a large medical facility in the Midwest and had symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. The participants were divided into two different groups based on their care pathway: VR ‑first group: patients who started with physical therapy or VR. VTB ‑first: patients who started with objective testing, or a VTB. The goal of this study was to understand how patients move between VR and VTB and if (and how) early VTB changed treatment outcomes. This study was a second phase of corresponding research: “Survey of Physical Therapists’ Views on Referral […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Aug 13 2025 23:26    View Full Story...

Question: How can I make sure my physical therapist is truly qualified in vestibular care? When someone is suffering from a vestibular disorder, they may experience dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, visual disturbances, and other distressing symptoms. It may be necessary to find a physical therapist (PT) who is trained in vestibular rehabilitation to treat these symptoms and the deficits that occur as a result. A trained PT specialist will significantly enhance your recovery, compared to a generalized PT. They will be able to get to the root of the problem and utilize interventions that are specific and individualized to achieve optimal outcomes effectively and efficiently.  Check out these tips to ensure your PT is a qualified vestibular specialist. Training Inquire about vestibular competency training, certifications, and/or extensive coursework. Competency courses from institutions like Duke, Johns Hopkins, University of Pittsburgh, 360 Neuro Health, The American Institute of Balance, and the Academy of Neurologic […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Aug 11 2025 19:24    View Full Story...

Understanding Meniere’s Disease – Your Rights in Australia Accessing diagnoses, benefits, and treatment with the support of legal definitions and advocacy Meniere’s disease (MD) causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, which can seriously impact daily life. Navigating the Australian healthcare and social support systems to obtain the correct diagnosis, treatment, and disability support can also be challenging. If you or someone you love has MD and is seeking disability benefits, medical tests, or insurance coverage, it is important to understand how Australia legally defines MD —and what steps you may need to access support. Why Legal Recognition of Meniere’s Disease Matters In 1995, the Australian federal government created a special task force of medical experts to develop a Statement of Principles (SoP) for MD. A SoP acts like a legal definition that helps determine who qualifies for medical benefits, disability pensions, and insurance claims. It also guides doctors in making diagnoses and recommending appropriate […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Aug 5 2025 17:22    View Full Story...

Functional brain activity in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) during galvanic vestibular stimulation reveals sensitization in the multisensory vestibular cortical network What is PPPD and why study it? Persistent postural‑perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic condition that causes ongoing dizziness and a sense of unsteadiness, especially when standing upright, moving, or in visually busy environments. It often follows a vestibular (balance) disorder, migraine, anxiety, or medication side effects. Although standard tests may no longer show abnormalities, sufferers remain sensitive to motion. The researchers wondered: Could the brain itself become over‑excitable or “sensitized” to vestibular signals, even when the inner ear is functioning normally? What did the study do? Enrolled 28 PPPD patients and 28 matched healthy people. Participants underwent galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) during an fMRI brain scan. This uses mild electrical pulses behind the ears to safely trigger sensations of movement. After each stimulus, they rated how strongly they felt […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Jul 28 2025 18:00    View Full Story...

At the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), we recognize that symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, visual motion sensitivity, and light sensitivity can make using websites challenging. That’s why we are committed to making vestibular.org as comfortable and accessible as possible for everyone. This guide provides tips and tools to help you navigate our website more easily if you experience: Sensitivity to screen brightness or light contrast Difficulty with scrolling or motion-triggered dizziness Discomfort from cluttered or fast-moving visuals Before We Get Started How Do I Do That? The guidance given below is not specific to a particular type of device (such as a computer, phone, or tablet) or browser (such as Safari or Chrome). If you are unsure how to accomplish the suggested accommodations, try typing your search query into your preferred search engine (such as Google or Bing). Here are some examples: “How do I turn on dark mode in […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Jul 23 2025 22:22    View Full Story...

In a significant step forward for global vestibular advocacy, the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) recently presented to a group of European doctoral students from the PROVIDE Network—an initiative designed to train the next generation of vestibular researchers. This collaboration brought together patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates across continents to shine a spotlight on the patient experience and how it intersects with healthcare, research, and education. What is the PROVIDE Network? PROVIDE, which stands for Patient-Centered Care for Vestibular Disorders, is a European training program funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon Europe. The network includes 10 PhD candidates hosted by academic and clinical institutions across Europe. Their mission: to generate new knowledge, tools, and interdisciplinary collaborations that enhance the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders. As part of their training, these young researchers are exposed to diverse perspectives—including those of the patients they ultimately hope to serve. To that […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Jul 22 2025 18:01    View Full Story...