Vestibular Therapy in New York City

Need vestibular therapy in New York City? In the mid-90’s, insurance carriers started becoming more profit-driven than they had ever been before. This aggressive bottom-line focus was reflected in greatly reduced reimbursements that affected how physical therapy was delivered. 

Many providers responded by looking for ways to double, triple or even quadruple the number of patients they could see in an hour.  As a result, the quality of care suffered. If you had neck pain, there was only enough time to look at your neck and then treat your neck.  

Greg and Rob refused to treat patients as if they were part of an assembly line. They said, ‘Enough is enough’ and in 1997 H&D Physical and Occupational therapy was established with a mission to provide one-on-one integrated science-based holistic therapy.

Vestibular Therapy is for individuals of any age who suffer from dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. The vestibular system is part of the inner ear and is one of the three main systems used for balance. Problems with this system can be a result of viral infections, head trauma, stroke, tumors, high doses of antibiotics, or be due to age-related changes. 

Symptoms which may be a result of vestibular dysfunction include:

  • Dizziness or vertigo, a spinning sensation, feeling of falling, or lightheadedness
  • Nausea or vomiting brought on by head or body movement
  • Motion sickness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Poor depth perception
  • Loss of balance
  • Headaches and/or blurred vision

Diagnoses we treat include:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  • Migraine-Associated Vertigo (MAV) / Vestibular Migraine
  • Vestibular Neuritis
  • Labyrinthitis
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
  • Post-Concussion Syndrome
  • Acoustic Neuroma
  • Balance and Mobility Disorders Related to
    • Stroke (CVA)
    • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
    • Brain tumor
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
    • Peripheral Neuropathy
    • Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
    • Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
    • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disorder (CMT)
    • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
    • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
    • Generalized deconditioning

What is vestibular treatment?

Each patient and diagnosis are different. Infrared video goggles may be utilized to assist with diagnosis and treatment of different types of vertigo conditions. Standardized balance and fall risk assessment may also be performed to evaluate and help guide intervention for problems with balance and mobility. 

Treatments may include, but are not limited to, repositioning maneuvers and exercises to reduce effects from BPPV or motion sensitivity, gaze stabilization and visual motion exercises to improve dizziness and movement-related blurred vision, balance and gait exercises to improve mobility and reduce the risk for falls, and condition-specific education to provide patients with tools for effective treatment and decrease the risk of recurrence.

Who treats vestibular and balance conditions at H&D Physical Therapy?

Assessment and treatment are performed by physical therapists specially trained and certified in vestibular rehabilitation. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, or have received any of the above diagnoses, schedule an appointment today. 

Vestibular Therapy in New York City

H&D Midtown

Justin Ettinger, PT, MSPT

H&D Upper East Side

Eileen Shepard, PT, MAPT

If you have questions regarding treatments available, or whether PT is appropriate for you, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss your situation in advance of an evaluation session.


What are Vestibular Issues? 

Have you been excessively dizzy, faint-eyed, and feel as if you have no balance? You may be having issues within your vestibular system. The vestibular system is the link between your inner ear and brain that aids with balance throughout. When this system experiences any disruption or damage, it leads to severe problems with balance, range of motion, hearing, and vision. H&D Physical Therapy is here for you to provide Vestibular Therapy in New York City. Contact us today to set up a consultation and be on the road to a better, more relaxed you!

Understanding the Vestibular System

  • The vestibular system is a sensory system responsible for providing our brain with information about motion, head position, and special orientation. It also has loads to do with motor functions that help with balance and stabilization and maintain posture. This system is essential for normal movement and equilibrium. 
  • The Vestibular system is made up of several different structures and tracts. The main being found in the inner ear in a system connected to interconnected sections called the vestibular labyrinth. The vestibular labyrinth is made up of canals and organs and contains receptors for sensations that send messages throughout nerves to the vestibular nuclei. The vestibular nuclei then pass the information onto targets such as the muscles of the eye to the cerebral cortex. 

Symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction:

Symptoms include

  • Dizziness or vertigo, a spinning sensation, the feeling of falling, or lightheadedness
  • Nausea or vomiting brought on by head or body movement
  • Motion sickness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Poor depth perception
  • Loss of balance
  • Headaches and/or blurred vision

Understanding the Vestibular Disorders 

The vestibular system, as we know from above, consists of many parts and is responsible for many essential factors of our body. That being said, such responsibility also has a higher scope for disorders or malfunctioning. Some of the common disorders include

  • Vertigo- A sudden feeling you are spinning or swaying. This occurs when tinting calcium crystals in one part of your ear more into an area; they should not be giving your brain the wrong message. 
  • Labyrinthitis- An inner ear infection. It happens when a fragile structure deep inside the ear gets inflamed. 
  • Vestibular Neuritis – A viral infection somewhere else in the body, such as chickenpox or measles. 
  • Perilymphatic – A tear or defect between the middle ear and fluid-filled inner ear can make one feel dizzy, and some may lose hearing 

Who can benefit from Vestibular Therapy in New York City?

Vestibular Therapy is for people of any age who face conditions such as dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. The vestibular system is part of the inner ear and is one of the three main systems used for balance. Complications with this system can be a result of viral infections, head trauma, stroke, tumors, high doses of antibiotics, or be due to age-related changes. 

What can we do for you?

Each patient and diagnosis are different. Treatments may include but are not limited to repositioning maneuvers and exercises to reduce effects from BPPV or motion sensitivity, gaze stabilization, and visual motion exercises to improve dizziness and movement-related blurred vision, balance, and gait exercises to improve mobility and reduce the risk for falls, and condition-specific education to provide patients with tools for effective treatment and decrease the risk of recurrence. 

H&D Physical Therapy is here for you to provide Vestibular Therapy in New York City. Contact us today to set up a consultation and be on the road to a better, more relaxed you! Our team of experienced therapists will help you achieve your goals of recovery. Learn all the ways we can help you and make an appointment through our website today!

Injuries to the body can happen anytime and anywhere. Whether it’s during a sports game, car accident, or surgery, recovery is important to getting back to daily life. H&D Physical Therapy provides high-quality rehabilitation to anyone in need. Balance is something that can be negatively affected after an injury. Vestibular Therapy in New York City can help improve balance for better wellness. 

What is Balance?

Balance comes from the vestibular system. It is located in the inner ear that sends messages to your brain about head positioning. There are two vestibular structures by each ear that act as levels in your head. The vestibular system works together with the visual system to create balance. Eyesight is important to be able to see the objects around you. Nerve endings in the proprioceptive system can become damaged caused by injuries. This can cause miscommunication signals to the brain, negatively affecting balance. 

How to Detect Bad Balance

Balance Therapy in New York City

Balance can be altered after an injury. Doctors can assess patients if they feel their balance is off. Signs of vertigo or spinning sensations can occur if the body’s equilibrium is affected. Trained professionals at Vestibular Therapy in New York City can detect symptoms of off-balance and create a program to help the patient in need. 

Exercises to Improve Balance

  • Standing on one leg.
  • Walking in a straight line.
  • Using balance beams and wobble boards.
  • Yoga.
  • Pilates. 

Complete these exercises a few times a week to increase balance! Improvements in balance should be seen if the exercises are completed regularly.

What Can Good Balance Enhance?

  • Athletic Performance.
  • Headache Prevention
  • Everyday mobility. 
  • Joint movement.
  • Muscle tightness prevention.

Contact H&D Physical Therapy For Vestibular Therapy in New York City

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Vestibular Therapy in New York City is available to help anyone in need. Injuries to the body are physically and mentally exhausting. It is a struggle that no person should face on their own. Our professionals are working together to give the highest quality of care. Improving balance creates an increase in daily functions. Getting patients on the right track physically leads to a better life mentally. H&D Physical Therapy is ready to help.  


Vestibular Therapy in New York City

Proper balance helps with walking, getting up, climbing, bending, etc. Maintaining your balance is important for everyday life activities. Contact H&D Physical Therapy for Vestibular Therapy in New York City.

What are Balance Issues? 

Balance issues involve the inability to stay upright and maneuver confidently. When you cannot control your body’s position, you may feel unsteady and off-balance. These feelings may occur either when still or while moving. The sensations often include dizziness or vertigo, a spinning or falling sensation.  Balance issues are a common symptom of several conditions, most of which do not need medical treatment. Although, if you are experiencing balance problems, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor. There may be several ways to correct your balance problems: Madison Ave Balance Therapy. 

Symptoms of Balance Issues 

If you have a balance issue, you may suffer from several symptoms. Some of these may include: 

  • Dizziness or vertigo (spinning sensation) 
  • Falling or feeling like you are going to fall 
  • Lightheadedness or faintness 
  • Blurred vision 
  • Unsteadiness 
  • Confusion or disorientation 
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Changes in heart rate and blood pressure 

Symptoms may come and go, either over short or long periods. Seeking Vestibular Therapy in New York City and the advice of a medical professional can help diagnose what these symptoms are indicating. 

What Causes Balance Issues? 

There are several causes of balance problems in the body. Some common causes of balance problems include: 

  • Head or neck injuries 
  • Infections 
  • Inner ear problems 
  • Circulation problems like high or low blood pressure 
  • Nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease 
  • Pregnancy 
  • Medicines 

Many people are more prone to balance issues as they get older. For older generations, physical therapy can help reduce the risk of balance problems and maintain proper balance. 

The inner part of the ear responsible for balance is called the vestibular system, or the labyrinth. Problems in the inner ear cause some balance issues. One condition, labyrinthitis, occurs when the labyrinth is infected or swollen, usually followed by vertigo and imbalance. Labyrinthitis can also be caused by respiratory, viral, and bacterial infections. 

Diseases of the circulatory system, like a stroke, can create dizziness and balance issues, and low blood pressure. Check with your doctor if you notice a balance issue when taking medications. 

How to Manage Balance Issues 

First, you should see your doctor, who will be able to address and diagnose your balance problems. They will likely perform tests and analyses to determine what you are suffering from. 

Treatment for balance issues depends on the cause. It may include balance retraining exercises or vestibular rehabilitation. Vestibular Therapy in New York City designs customized programs for each client suffering from balance problems. Additionally, you may need to adapt to diet and lifestyle changes. Limiting salt intake and avoiding dietary triggers can help with balance problems. 

Some medications may be prescribed to control balance issues. Also, positioning procedures can move particles in the ear and reduce impaired balance. Or, in the case you have Meniere’s disease or acoustic neuroma, your doctor may recommend surgery. 

Vestibular Therapy in New York City

If you suffer from balance issues, it is important to seek advice from your doctor and implement the suggestions and lifestyle changes they recommend. In many cases, physical therapy treats and manages balance issues. H&D Physical Therapy is here to help with your conditions and work to improve your balance. Contact us today to make an appointment and correct your balance issues.


Experiencing vertigo can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience. Not having control over your body can be daunting, but there are ways to cope with a diagnosis of vertigo. Vestibular Therapy in New York City works to restore your balance and get you back in control of your body. 

What is Vertigo? 

Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off-balance. The sensation often feels like the environment around you is spinning, making you feel dizzy and off-balance. Vertigo is not a disease but a symptom of different conditions. 

There are two main types of vertigo. Peripheral vertigo occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear. Central vertigo occurs when there is an issue with the brain. Vertigo is a common condition, affecting nearly 40% of Americans at least once in their lifetime. 

Balance therapy near Park Avenue

Symptoms of Vertigo 

Many people experience common symptoms associated with vertigo. These include: 

  • Dizziness 
  • Feeling like you are moving or spinning 
  • Problems focusing with eyes 
  • Nausea 
  • Swaying 
  • Headaches 
  • Sweating 
  • Ringing in the ears 
  • Hearing loss 

Vertigo is often triggered by a change in the position of your head. Symptoms can last anywhere from a few minutes to hours. They may come and go over time. 

Treatment for Vertigo 

Vertigo treatment depends on what is causing it. Usually, vertigo goes away without any type of treatment. Since the brain can adapt to inner ear changes, vertigo often goes away on its own. 

If vertigo requires treatment, there are a few options. 

  1. Vestibular rehabilitation. This type of physical therapy works to strengthen the vestibular system, which communicates with your brain to coordinate head and body movements relative to gravity. 
  2. Canalith repositioning maneuvers. These movements are done to move the calcium deposits out of the canal into an inner ear chamber to be absorbed by the body. 
  3. Medicine. Sometimes, medicine is given to relieve symptoms that come with vertigo. 

Many people benefit from Vestibular Therapy in New York City to regain balance and decrease dizziness. Because vertigo is not a disease and there is no cure, it can go away without intense treatments. 

Vestibular Therapy in New York City

H&D Physical Therapy provides the best care and works to get you back on your feet, despite symptoms of vertigo. If you suffer from bad vertigo, training your brain and body to regain control through Vestibular Therapy in New York Cityis important. Contact us today to book your appointment.