Understanding Your Vestibular Evaluation: The Path to Recovery and Relief

If you've been experiencing dizziness, a spinning sensation (vertigo), or unsteadiness, you know how disruptive it can be. At Agapé Physical Therapy, we specialize in diagnosing and treating these complex vestibular issues. A comprehensive vestibular evaluation is the critical first step on your journey back to balance.

Here’s a look at what goes into our thorough evaluation, designed to pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms:

1. Subjective History

Your Story Matters

The evaluation begins by listening to you. We gather detailed information about:

• Onset: When and how your symptoms started (sudden vs. gradual).
• Medical History: A review of your past self-history (including migraines, inner ear issues, head/neck injuries, or flu/virus history) and current medications, especially those for symptom management like Meclizine.
• Symptom Characteristics: We assess current symptoms like vertigo, nausea, lightheadedness, and falls, determining if they are continuous or occur in spells.
• Triggers: We specifically explore positional symptoms (e.g., when lying down, sitting up, or rolling over) and motion intolerance (e.g., car sickness or difficulty in visually busy environments like store aisles).
• Auditory Symptoms: We check for associated symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus, or aural fullness, as these can point to specific inner ear conditions.

2. Objective Exam

Testing Your System

After the interview, we perform a hands-on assessment to observe how your body and senses are interacting. This includes:

• General Screen: Assessment of range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength (MMT) in your upper and lower extremities, along with a check of cervical (neck) motion.
• Balance Testing: Using validated clinical measures like Single Leg Stance (SLS) on firm and foam surfaces, Timed Up and Go (TUG), 5x Sit to Stand (5xSTS), and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA/DGI). These tests help us understand how your balance is compromised and what sensory systems (vision, inner ear, body position) you may be over-relying on.
• Oculomotor Testing: We meticulously evaluate your eye movements, as the inner ear directly influences vision stability. This includes checking:
• Ocular Mobility and Smooth Pursuits
• Saccades (quick eye movements)
• Gaze Evoked Nystagmus
• Head Thrust Test (a key measure for vestibular function)
• Positional Testing: A crucial part of the exam, where we use movements like the Dix-Hallpike and Horizontal Roll tests to determine if you have Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)—the most common cause of vertigo—and identify which ear and canal are affected.

Get Relief for Vertigo and BPPV Today!

You don’t have to live with dizziness and balance issues. At Agapé Physical Therapy, we specialize in the effective diagnosis and treatment of BPPV and vertigo. Our expert therapists use the information from this detailed evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan for you.

We are proud to serve the community with 6 convenient locations and our new 7th location in East Rochester!

Take the first step toward a steady, symptom-free life. Schedule your evaluation today at agapephysicaltherapy.com.