What is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is part of your inner ear that helps you keep your balance. After a head injury, even a mild one, this system can be affected, leading to dizziness or a spinning sensation called vertigo. The vestibular system is complex and closely linked to your vision, so problems with balance may also cause issues with your eyesight. Since this system is so intricate, it's important to see a specialist for proper testing and treatment.

 

How Do I Know If I Have a Vestibular Issue?
Symptoms of a vestibular problem can vary, but the most common ones are dizziness or vertigo. These symptoms often happen when you change the position of your head, like bending over, looking up, or turning over in bed. You might also feel dizzy when looking at moving objects or when there’s a lot of movement or patterns in the background.

 

What is a Vestibular Evaluation?
A vestibular evaluation includes a few different tests to help figure out what’s causing your symptoms. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your symptoms and what triggers them. The specialist might also do positional tests to try to recreate the dizziness or vertigo and check how your eyes move to see if they’re working together with your balance system properly.

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What Does Vestibular Treatment Involve?
Treatment depends on what’s found during your evaluation, but some common treatments include:

• Repositioning Maneuvers: These are specific head and body movements used to treat a condition called BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). It involves moving tiny crystals in the inner ear back to where they belong, and this treatment is very effective—often providing immediate relief from vertigo.

• Head and Eye Exercises: These exercises help retrain your balance system and improve the coordination between your eyes and your inner ear, helping them work better together.

• Habituation Exercises: These involve gradually doing activities that trigger your symptoms, helping your brain get used to them so they no longer cause dizziness.

• Cervical Joint Position Error (CJPE) Exercises: If your neck was affected by the injury, it could contribute to dizziness. Your neck position may need to be retrained, so specific exercises are used to improve your awareness of head position and restore balance.