Balance Retraining Physical Therapy

BRPT (VR) is a prescription-based physical therapy program used to reduce and eliminate symptoms of "dizziness" secondary to balance system disorders in children, men and women.

Originally developed in the 1940's during World War II for soldiers after blast injuries (Cawthorne and Cooksey), VR has evolved over the past 70 years into customized physical therapy treatments for peripheral and central disorders of the balance system. Treatments include gait training, adaptation of the VOR, habituation of motion sickness, strengthening and conditioning, and canalith repositioning maneuvers.

Werner Institute offers this service only by licensed and internally certified physical therapy and audiology clinicians at all our clinics.

Persistent dizziness can lead to chronic invalidism, severely restricted lifestyle, occupational disability, degradation of fitness, mobility, and a balance system that can have damaging repercussions in later life (Yardley, 1994).

Over 400 peer-reviewed articles along with the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration (Hillier, 2007) have reviewed VR and support it as a primary treatment of dizziness.

Frequency and Duration

Most patients will require physical therapy 2-3 times a week for 6-8 weeks except for BPPV. Classic BPPV usually requires 1-4 physical therapy visits. 70% of patients with BPPV exhibit additional balance problems - an underlying vestibular hypofunction causing additional dizziness after BPPV has been conventionally treated with what is called the Epley Maneuver (Pollak, 2002)

Treatments Offered include:

• Gaze Stabilization Exercises for Visual Blurring, Oscillopsia
• Habituation Training for Motion Sickness and Chronic Dizziness
• Static and Dynamic Balance Training Using Guldmann Harness System
• Gait Training Using Motorized Hoyer System and Guldmann Ceiling Rail System
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers On Table and With Epley Omniax Gyroscope
• Strengthening and Conditioning with Full Cybex and Technogym Systems
• Manual Therapy for Cervical and Lumbar Pain Associated with Imbalance
• Customized Home Therapy Programs