Question About Vestibular Therapy
 

Yesterday I had my first Vestibular Therapy evaluation. The PT did a strange test in which he held onto both sides of my head and moved my head back and forth (left to right horizontally) somewhat quickly as I looked at his nose. He said this was to see how my eyes moved when my head moved. However, this seemed to increase my symptoms and I wonder if this was even another concussion or sub concussive impact.

I have had concussions before, one being three years ago that I experienced post concussion syndrome for months and some symptoms for over a year and also played hockey my whole life, so my head is pretty sensitive. I am now a little over 8 weeks since my most recent concussion in which I hit my fore head on a counter top.

Has anyone else had this type of test done to them before and is it normal?? Although he assured me " nothing I will do here will hurt you", it has still got me worried. Thanks.:confused:

I have been in vestibular therapy for over four months. It's normal and you are going to feel terrible during some exercises. Therapist should then give you time to let the symptoms settle. It's a long, (lllloooonnnnngggg), process for some of us with vestibular damage.

This is not a short therapy. Plus you must do the at home exercises and go to therapy even on the days you feels rough.

I've asked my therapist hundreds of times how does this help me? I don't close my eyes a lot at home!. I don't always understand the why, but I do trust my therapist. Ask questions. Mine repeats and is extremely patient with me!

I can look back three months and see a difference in myself. I will be in therapy for a while.

Good luck to you. Hope this helps.

Jace

Thanks yes that does help. Do you remember your therapist doing this test with you at your evaluation though? It was pretty scary for me.

Question about Vestibular Therapy and Head Pressure
 

I also went for a vestibular therapy evaluation as well, the other day. The dr also had me shake my head from side-to- side, before doing one of the balance tests with me. I knew this was not good for my head, so I did not move it too quickly. Just with the basic tests he did, it left me feeling crappy (full feeling in head, pressure in head, and slight queasiness). I had to come home and lay down for a few hours.

And I was not feeling great the next day, as well. I am scheduled in 2 weeks for a 2-hour balance test exam. The tests include Posturography, Rotary Chair, and a V/Electronystagography. I am worried I will not be able to handle these tests, especially 2 hrs of it. I am concerned it will really set me back. Has anyone had these tests, and if you had a problem, with them, did the therapist have to stop during test ?

I am 2 1/2 yrs post concussion, and also with an upper cervical injury, from hitting my head on black ice. I've had vision therapy, among other treatments. Currently still seeing my upper cervical chiro, and myofascial therapy. I'm healing on some levels, but progress is still slow.

Current symptoms are pressure in head from over exertion (walking is about the exercise I can handle) or stress , sensitivity to light/noise (at times), fullness in head, neck gets locked up feeling if over stressed, and fatigue if I over do it.

I can't get on a treadmill or elliptical trainer without getting fullness in head, pressure.. I am anticipating the balance tests will bring on the same feelings..
And just don't want to do any further damage.

Can vestibular therapy help relieve pressure in the head ???

Thank you for any input, and for all the helpful posts on this forum. It has helped me a lot, and has been a great source for information.

During my 1st evaluation my therapist did hold my head and moved it fast from side to side, I failed miserably on that one:rolleyes: it also made my head feel worse, I get huge headaches and pressure and I felt so dizzy, the therapist is watching how your eyes react though.

I often feel worse after therapy, yesterday I walked in with pressure and pain in my head and it got worse with the exercises we did, she waits for the headache to come down a little though before proceeding and often she just ends the session until the next time.

The headache from yesterday has been with me all today, I had to lie down in a dark room but it's still here. I get huge pressure in my head.

I'm also seeing an OT for my eyes.

I also ask a lot of questions, I like to understand what's going on, one is that you will feel awful doing some of the exercises, got to retrain the brain so it's got a lot of work to do:o

Feel better...:grouphug:

The "head shake" is a pretty standard test for VT. I've had it done twice, at two different clinics, and this last time it caused my symptoms to flare up for a few days.

If you feel like the home exercises are causing you to get worse, you should communicate this to your therapist, so you can scale the exercises back to a level you can tolerate.