Home If you’ve ever woken up and felt like the room was spinning before you...
Read MoreVestibular Therapy
1 in 4 individuals over the age of 65 in the United States fall each year and about 40% of individuals in the United States will experience dizziness or vertigo at some point in their lifetime. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Don’t let vertigo or unsteadiness lead to further injury. You can trust the vestibular therapy experts at CORE 3 to improve your vertigo, dizziness and to improve your balance. An individually tailored exercise program designed by an expert physical therapist has been shown to reduce the risk of falls in patients by at least 50%.
All of our therapists are qualified to assist patients with a history of falls or who are at risk of future falls. Our vestibular therapists incorporate a multimodal approach to treat patients with vestibular condition and decreased balance.
Our Vestibular Certified Specialists Can Treat The Following Conditions:
Vestibular therapy at CORE 3 treats the inner-ear and brain-based conditions that cause dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. Our vestibular-certified specialists start with a full evaluation to identify what’s actually causing your symptoms, then build a treatment plan around that specific diagnosis rather than a generic, one-size-fits-all program.
Inner-Ear Conditions We Treat
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) is one of the most common causes we see. It happens when small calcium crystals in the inner ear shift out of place, triggering brief, intense spinning sensations with certain head movements — like rolling over in bed or looking up. Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis, which involve inflammation of the inner ear or vestibular nerve (often following a viral illness), tend to cause more constant, persistent vertigo along with nausea and balance difficulty. Vestibular migraines and Ménière’s disease can also produce recurring dizziness, sometimes alongside headaches, ear fullness, or hearing changes.
Balance and Visual Symptoms We Treat
Beyond these inner-ear conditions, we also treat vestibular hypofunction, central vestibular dysfunction, post-concussion dizziness, and general balance disorders that increase fall risk — particularly for older adults. Symptoms can include difficulty focusing on objects while moving your head, discomfort in busy visual environments like grocery stores, or a general unsteadiness that makes you cautious about daily activities.
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Concussions
- Headaches, neck, ear, and jaw pain
- BPPV or Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
- Vestibular Hypofunction
- Vestibular Neuritis
- Vestibular Migraines
- Ménière’s Disease
- Central Vestibular Dysfunctions
- Difficulty visually tracking and focusing on objects
- Discomfort with busy visual environments
- Decreased balance and falls
- And more!
If any of this sounds familiar, a proper evaluation is the first step — a symptom list alone isn’t a substitute for having a vestibular specialist assess what’s actually going on.
Vestibular Therapy Includes:
Your first vestibular therapy visit starts with a hands-on evaluation, not a generic exercise handout. Your therapist assesses how your eyes, inner ear, and brain are working together — testing balance, eye movements, and how your symptoms respond to specific positions and movements — to identify exactly what’s driving your dizziness or vertigo.
Because Pennsylvania is a Direct Access state, you can schedule that first evaluation directly with a CORE 3 vestibular-certified specialist without waiting on a physician referral.
Your Treatment Plan
From there, your specialist builds an individualized treatment plan using a multimodal combination of techniques suited to your specific diagnosis. Depending on what your evaluation shows, that plan may include:
- Habituation exercises
- Gaze stabilization exercises
- Balance training using both static and dynamic balance exercises
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers, including the Epley’s maneuver
- Vestibular Ocular Reflex Training
- Functional activity training
- Neck Range of Motion and Strengthening Exercises
- Lower Extremity and Core Strengthening Exercises
How These Techniques Help
For BPPV specifically, treatment often centers on canalith repositioning maneuvers like the Epley maneuver, which can ease symptoms in as few as one to three visits. Gaze stabilization and vestibular-ocular reflex training help retrain the connection between your eyes and inner ear so your vision stays steady when you move your head, while balance training rebuilds the confidence and stability many patients lose after a vertigo episode.
Every plan is one-on-one and adjusted as you progress, because two patients with the same diagnosis rarely need the exact same exercises. This information is general in nature — a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan requires an in-person evaluation with a physician or physical therapist.
Where to Find Vestibular Therapy Near You
FAQs About Vestibular Therapy
What symptoms can vestibular therapy help with?
Common symptoms include dizziness, vertigo, feeling off-balance, motion sensitivity, blurry vision with movement, and “floating” or lightheaded sensations.
What conditions do you treat with vestibular therapy?
Vestibular therapy can help with BPPV (positional vertigo), vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis, balance disorders, persistent dizziness, and post-concussion vestibular issues (when appropriate).
If I have BPPV, can it be treated quickly?
Often, yes. BPPV can sometimes improve in 1–3 visits with repositioning maneuvers, though recovery varies depending on the type and how long symptoms have been present.
Do I need a referral for vestibular therapy?
Core 3 PT is an outpatient physical therapy clinic. In Pennsylvania, many patients can start outpatient physical therapy through direct access without a referral. Insurance requirements vary, so coverage should be confirmed before your first visit.
How many visits does vestibular therapy usually take?
It depends on the diagnosis, symptom severity, and how long you’ve had symptoms. Some people improve in a few visits; others need several weeks of guided progression.
When should I seek medical care first?
If dizziness is paired with chest pain, fainting, sudden severe headache, facial droop, slurred speech, weakness/numbness, or new vision changes—seek emergency care right away. If symptoms are new and intense, a medical evaluation is also a smart first step.
Do you offer vestibular therapy in Bucks and Montgomery County?
Yes. Vestibular therapy is available through Core 3 PT and serves patients across Bucks County and Montgomery County. We have clinics in Hatfield, Chalfont, Limerick, East Norriton and Warrington, all designed to give you the same level of quality vestibular therapy.
What does a vestibular physical therapist do?
A vestibular physical therapist specializes in evaluating and treating dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and inner ear disorders. During your visit, they assess how your eyes, inner ear, and brain work together to control balance and movement. Based on your symptoms, they create a personalized treatment plan that may include specific head and eye exercises, balance training, and repositioning maneuvers for conditions like BPPV. The goal is to reduce dizziness, improve stability, and help you safely return to your normal daily activities with greater confidence.
How do you know if you have vestibular dysfunction?
Vestibular dysfunction often presents as dizziness, vertigo (a spinning sensation), imbalance, or difficulty focusing your vision when moving your head. You may also feel unsteady while walking, experience motion sensitivity, or have nausea related to movement. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may interfere with daily activities. If you notice persistent dizziness or balance issues, it’s important to get evaluated by a healthcare professional. A vestibular physical therapist can help determine the cause and recommend the right treatment to improve your symptoms.
How long does vestibular physical therapy take to work?
The timeline for vestibular physical therapy varies depending on the condition and its severity. Some issues, like BPPV, can often be resolved in just one or two visits with specific repositioning maneuvers. Other conditions, such as chronic dizziness or balance disorders, may take several weeks of consistent therapy to see significant improvement. Most patients begin to notice progress within a few sessions. Following your home exercise program and attending scheduled visits are key to achieving the best results as quickly as possible.
Explore Our Vestibular Therapy Resources
How Vestibular Ocular Reflex Training Helps Dizziness
Home Dizziness can make even simple daily activities feel challenging. Turning your head while walking,...
Read MoreBest Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy Near Bucks County, PA
If you’ve been dealing with dizziness, vertigo, balance issues, or that unsettling feeling of being...
Read MoreA Guide to Vestibular Physical Therapy in PA
If dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues are disrupting your life, vestibular physical therapy in PA...
Read More