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Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy at Baylor Medicine
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Vestibular rehabilitation therapy at the balance disorder center is provided by Helen Cohen, Ed.D., OTR, FAOTA, an internationally recognized occupational therapist-vestibular physiologist and expert in vestibular and balance rehabilitation. Dr. Cohen will evaluate the patient and tailor exercises and/or therapy maneuvers for a specific inner ear disorder. Rehabilitation may require one or more visits from the patient.
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What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
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- A non-invasive approach for patients with vestibular and balance disorders
- A systematic, individually designed regimen of exercises and activities that address the unique needs of individual patients
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What Are the Justifications for Referral?
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- Positional vertigo
- Persistent vertigo
- History of falls
- Motion sensitivity
- Headache, stiff neck
- Visual motion disturbances
- Blurred vision
- Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)
- Poor balance
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What Are the Goals of Therapy?
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- Decrease frequency, intensity, and duration of vertigo
- Decrease related symptoms such as headache, nausea, and lightheadedness
- Improve balance
- Increase independence in daily life
- Develop compensatory strategies for coping with dizziness, disequilibrium, and anxiety
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What Are Typical Diagnoses?
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- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- Labyrinthitis
- Vestibular neuronitis
- Chronic vestibulopathy
- Disequilibrium of aging
- Post-surgical imbalance
- Connective tissue disorders
- Bilateral vestibular weakness from ototoxicity
- Vertigo of unknown etiology
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What Does the Evaluation Assess?
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- Level of vertigo or other dizziness
- Motions that stimulate vertigo
- Functional balance
- Mobility skills
- Musculoskeletal function
- Independence in basic self-care skills and other daily life tasks
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What Kind of Rehabilitation Is Done?
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- Exercises and activities to decrease vertigo
- Repositioning maneuvers and exercises for positional vertigo
- Balance retraining
- Counseling for safety equipment
- Safety training and other mobility skills
- Training in activities of daily living
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How Do I Get a Referral?
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- Must have a written prescription for occupational therapy from a physician
- Physician should indicate diagnosis
- Center for Balance Disorders hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Therapy clinic days are Tuesdays and Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Phone: (713) 798-6336
- Fax: (713) 798-8658
