What is Vestibular Decompensation?
Vestibular compensation is the brain’s natural process of adapting to and recovering from a vestibular or inner ear disturbance, such as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuronitis, in order to minimise symptoms and regain balance control.
Vestibular decompensation refers to a condition when this process fails or weakens leading to a return or worsening of symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, imbalance and nausea. It typically occurs after a person has previously adapted to a vestibular issue but then experiences a setback due to various factors such as:
Vestibular Rehabilitation can help to promote and enhance vestibular compensation, particularly when natural compensation is not sufficient, by retraining the brain to process signals from the vestibular system and coordinate them with other sensory inputs. Three strategies are incorporated into a vestibular rehabilitation exercise programme, each targeting different aspects of vestibular compensation:
We offer full vestibular assessments and targeted individualised vestibular rehabilitation programmes at Pro Sports Medicine.
Following a comprehensive assessment by our specialist vestibular physiotherapist Allison Cooper, a customised treatment plan will be provided, which will include elements of adaption, compensation, habituation and balance training.
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