Understanding Meniere’s Disease: How Physical Therapy Can Improve Balance and Stability

Meniere’s disease is a relatively rare balance disorder that affects about 615,000 Americans. It commonly causes dizziness (vertigo) and ringing in the ears (tinnitus), which can make it difficult to stay steady on your feet, hear clearly, and complete everyday activities.

Researchers still have much to learn about the condition, but one thing is clear: without prompt treatment, symptoms often worsen, increasing the risk of hearing loss and ongoing balance issues.

At Preserve Physical Therapy in The Woodlands and Magnolia, Texas, experienced physical therapist Rupal Mehta, PT, MS, DPT, PhD, offers comprehensive physical therapy to individuals with Meniere’s disease.

Keep reading to learn what causes Meniere’s disease, how physical therapy can help, and what to expect during treatment.

Why does Meniere’s disease cause balance issues?

The inner ear plays an essential role in helping you feel balanced and steady on your feet. It contains a system of canals and chambers filled with a fluid called endolymph that moves in response to head and body movements.

People with Meniere’s disease have more endolymph than people without the condition. This may be due to abnormal drainage, genetics, an autoimmune response, or other factors.

Regardless, a buildup of this fluid disrupts the nerves that send balance signals to the brain, increasing the risk of dizziness and instability.

How physical therapy helps

Because Meniere’s disease doesn’t have a single cause and its symptoms affect everyone differently, there is no specific medication to treat it. Instead, people are often referred to a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT).

VRT is a specialized type of physical therapy that retrains the brain to compensate for inner ear imbalances. This typically includes a combination of balance exercises, like standing on uneven surfaces, eye-head coordination exercises, and gait training to reduce fall risk.

VRT can also be used to reduce dizziness and improve steadiness on your feet.

What to expect during vestibular rehabilitation therapy

Dr. Mehta tailors VRT to each patient’s symptoms and needs. Typically, each program includes exercises that improve eye movement control, balance, and strength. Treatment sessions usually last 60-90 minutes and include a series of exercises under his direct supervision.

Some people notice improvements after just one or two sessions, but most benefit from several months of ongoing therapy.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, we could recommend one to three sessions per week, along with daily exercises at home, until you start seeing improvement.

Be patient and follow our instructions closely. Even if you start feeling better, don’t skip therapy. Quitting the program in the middle of treatment can set you back and cause your symptoms to return.

Studies show that VRT can:

Reduce your risk of falling
Increase body strength
Reduce symptoms of dizziness
Improve balance
Improve visual stability

Since VRT is activity-based, it carries fewer risks than medication while helping improve balance and steadiness.

See if you’re a candidate for vestibular rehabilitation

If you’ve been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease and are worried about your balance or mobility, vestibular rehabilitation therapy may be the key to helping you feel confident on your feet.