Vestibular System

Vestibular dysfunction is by far the most common cause of dizziness. Reviews of various clinics show that in 50% of cases vestibular disorders cause the symptom of “dizziness”.

Vestibular dizziness has an annual prevalence of 5% among adults in Western Europe and is therefore very common. However, most cases are not properly diagnosed or treated. This is clearly demonstrated by the example of benign paroxysmal positional dizziness: only 8% of patients received the correct treatment.

This statistic is very disappointing, because the treatment of vestibular disorders, called “vestibular rehabilitation”, is evidence-based and, according to the evidence of several systematic reviews, very effective!

Distinguishing dizziness is extremely important for physical therapists who specialize in the cervical spine, or TMJ, and as a result encounter the symptom of “dizziness” on a daily basis. However, it is also a very common symptom in geriatrics, neurology and sports medicine. Since all age groups and professions are affected by vestibular dizziness, the contents of the courses are therefore an important addition to the therapeutic repertoire of all colleagues!

DAY 1 & 2

The first part focuses on the basic knowledge and skills required for the treatment of patients with vestibular disorders.

The (patho-)physiology of the vestibular organ is explained in detail so that you can better understand the complex symptomatology of dizziness. It will be explained in detail which questions you should ask during the anamnesis interview and which subsections your examination should consist of. This will allow you to better distinguish the cause of the dizziness. You will be taught evidence-based, specific tests that allow you to examine the vestibular organ directly and indirectly. You will also learn what medical-technical tests are available and how to interpret the results of the tests. In this way, you will be able to communicate with ENT doctors and neurologists at the same level.

Evidence-based maneuvers will be taught to resolve benign positional dizziness with immediate effect! Evidence-based methods and basic principles of vestibular rehabilitation are also presented in detail.

THEORY

– Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the vestibular organ.

– Effects/risks of antivertiginosa and ototoxic drugs

– Interpretation of medical-technical examinations

PRACTICAL

– History and evaluation with evidence-based diagnostic tests for the differential diagnosis of vestibular dizziness.

– Surveys and evaluations to measure the effectiveness of therapy

– Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: evidence-based release maneuvers for positional dizziness, evidence-based exercise methods to treat vestibular disorders

DAY 3& 4

The aim of the last two days is for you to become a vestibular organ expert and also to be able to distinguish yourself as an expert in an interdisciplinary context!

In the theoretical part, clinical conditions such as vestibular migraine and psychosomatic dizziness are mentioned. Other questionnaires and assessments will be presented whose use is particularly indicated in vestibular migraine and psychosomatic dizziness.

In the practical part we will repeatedly focus on diagnosis and treatment. In the treatment part, we will touch on vestibular migraine and psychosomatic dizziness.

THEORY

– Vestibular migraine and psychosomatic dizziness pathology.

– “Lifestyle coaching” for vestibular migraine.

– Additional surveys and reviews

PRACTICAL

– Starting from the 1st and 2nd day, all practical units will be repeated and studied intensively.

– Various case studies are studied in groups and the results are then presented.

After these 4 days and a knowledge test, you will receive the certification as a vestibular therapist from the Institute for Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (IVRT). The certificate is valid for 3 years and can then be extended with a 1-day refresher course. After the first refresher course, the certificate is always extended for 4 years.

About the knowledge test: The Institute for Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy’s exam is optional, but IVRT certification is a prerequisite for becoming a vestibular therapist. The exam will be held on the last day of Module 2 during class time. The exam is written and consists of 20 multiple choice questions. Whatever this certificate is, you will definitely receive a certificate of participation.

Private IVRT service

– Do you have questions about patients after the course? We will support you even after the course via email correspondence or our closed Siilo group.

– Would you like to talk to instructors and other course participants after the course? We have a closed Siilo group that only course participants can join. In this protected area, you can ask questions about case studies or other topics (e.g. advertising, billing, etc.) and discuss them with instructors and course participants.

– Don’t remember the tests or exercises from the course? We have an internal members area where you can play test and practice videos whenever you want.

– Do you want to continue to refresh your knowledge and skills after the course? We offer refresher courses so that all our cohorts are always up to date on studies, new findings and techniques.