Looking for vestibular therapy in Fishers or Carmel, IN?

Have you been Googling "vestibular therapy near me" at 2 AM because the room won't stop spinning? Or maybe you've been told your dizziness is "just anxiety" even though you know something's really wrong with your balance?

You're not alone. And more importantly, you're not imagining it.

If you're in the Fishers, IN area and dealing with dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems that are stealing your confidence and your life, vestibular therapy might be exactly what you need. And we're here to help you understand what it is, how it works, and why it could change everything for you.

What Is Vestibular Therapy? (In Plain English)

Let's start with the basics. Vestibular therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy designed specifically to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders.

Your vestibular system is the balance control center in your inner ear and brain. When something goes wrong with this system, whether it's crystals out of place, inflammation, or a concussion, your world can literally start spinning.

Here's the thing: vestibular therapy isn't about masking symptoms with medication. It's about retraining your brain and body to restore normal balance function. Through specific exercises and techniques, we help your nervous system recalibrate so you can feel steady again.

Think of it like physical therapy for your balance system. Just like you'd work with a PT to strengthen a weak knee, vestibular therapy strengthens and retrains the systems that keep you balanced and oriented in space.

Conditions We Treat with Vestibular Therapy

Not all dizziness is the same. That's why cookie-cutter treatments don't work. At Dizzy Free PT in Fishers, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of vestibular conditions:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

This is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. Those tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear get knocked loose and cause intense spinning when you move your head certain ways. The good news? BPPV responds incredibly well to vestibular treatment, with success rates of 80-92% after just one or two sessions.

Vestibular Migraine

If you're experiencing dizziness along with headaches, light sensitivity, or nausea, vestibular migraine might be the culprit. This condition is often misdiagnosed or dismissed, but vestibular therapy combined with the right management strategies can significantly improve your quality of life.

Post-Concussion Dizziness

Did your dizziness start after a head injury, car accident, or sports collision? Concussions can damage your vestibular system, leaving you with persistent dizziness, brain fog, and balance problems. Research shows that vestibular rehabilitation significantly improves symptoms and helps people return to normal activities faster.

Symptoms Without a Specific Diagnosis

So much of the vertigo world is focused on diagnoses. While it can help explain what's going on in many people, not everyone has a "disease" or "condition". This is good news! So many people we see come with a set of symptoms - we don't need a diagnosis to help you get better. Your inner ears and eyes can just be "weak" or not working like they should versus having a specific thing wrong.

Other Conditions We Treat:

• Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)

• Meniere's disease

• Age-related balance decline

• Post-surgical vestibular dysfunction

How Vestibular Therapy Differs from Regular Physical Therapy

You might be wondering: can't any physical therapist help with dizziness?

Not really.

Vestibular therapy requires specialized training and certification that most general physical therapists don't have. Here's what makes it different:

Specialized diagnostic skills: We use specific tests to identify exactly which part of your vestibular system is malfunctioning. This includes positional testing, eye movement analysis, and balance assessments you won't find in a typical PT clinic.

Unique treatment techniques: From canalith repositioning maneuvers for BPPV to gaze stabilization exercises and habituation protocols, the treatments we use are completely different from traditional physical therapy.

Understanding of the vestibular system: We've spent years studying how the inner ear, eyes, brain, and body work together to maintain balance. This specialized knowledge is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Experience with complex cases: Many of our patients in the Fishers, Carmel, and Indianapolis area have seen multiple doctors and tried everything before finding us. We're trained to handle the tricky, persistent cases that don't fit into neat boxes.

What to Expect in Your First Session at Dizzy Free PT

Walking into a new clinic when you're already dizzy can feel overwhelming. We get it. That's why we've designed our first sessions to be thorough but comfortable.

Here's what happens:

Comprehensive Evaluation (60-90 minutes)

We listen to your story. Really listen. We want to know when your symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, what you've already tried, and how this is affecting your daily life.

Detailed symptom assessment. We'll ask specific questions about your dizziness. Is it spinning? Rocking? Lightheadedness? Does it happen with certain movements? This helps us narrow down the cause.

Specialized testing. Depending on your symptoms, we might perform:

• Positional testing to check for BPPV

• Eye movement and tracking tests

• Balance and gait assessment

• Neck mobility and strength testing

• Functional movement evaluation

Clear diagnosis and treatment plan. We don't leave you guessing. By the end of your first visit, you'll understand what's causing your symptoms and have a personalized roadmap for getting better.

Often, treatment starts immediately. For many conditions like BPPV, we can begin treatment in that very first session. Some patients walk out feeling significantly better after just one visit.

Treatment Techniques and Approaches We Use

Every patient is different, which means every treatment plan is customized. But here are some of the evidence-based techniques we use at our Fishers clinic:

Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers

For BPPV, we use specific head and body movements to guide those loose crystals back where they belong. It sounds simple, but proper technique matters enormously.

Gaze Stabilization Exercises
These exercises retrain your eyes and brain to work together, reducing dizziness with head movements and improving visual clarity during motion.

Balance and Gait Training
We challenge your balance system in controlled, progressive ways to rebuild confidence and stability. This might include standing exercises, walking patterns, and functional activities.

Habituation Therapy
For certain types of dizziness, we systematically expose you to movements that trigger symptoms. Over time, your brain learns to adapt and the dizziness decreases.

Manual Therapy
Sometimes neck tension or joint restrictions contribute to dizziness. We use hands-on techniques to address these issues.

Home Exercise Programs
Recovery happens between sessions too. We'll give you specific exercises to do at home, carefully tailored to your condition and tolerance level.

Success Rates and What to Expect for Your Timeline

Let's talk real numbers and realistic expectations.

For BPPV: Most patients see dramatic improvement within 1-3 sessions. Research shows 80% of people experience complete resolution after a single treatment, and 92% are symptom-free after two sessions. This is why BPPV, while terrifying, is actually one of the most treatable causes of vertigo.

For post-concussion dizziness: Recovery typically takes 4-8 weeks of consistent therapy, though some people improve faster. Studies show that vestibular rehabilitation significantly reduces symptoms and helps people return to normal activities much sooner than rest alone.

For vestibular migraine and chronic conditions: Treatment timelines vary more widely, usually ranging from 6-12 weeks. The key is combining vestibular therapy with appropriate medical management for the best outcomes.

Here's what's important to understand: improvement isn't always linear. You might have great days and setback days. That's normal and doesn't mean treatment isn't working.

And here's the kicker: the sooner you start treatment, the better your outcomes tend to be. Chronic, long-standing dizziness can lead to compensation patterns that take longer to unwind.

How to Know If You Need Vestibular Therapy

Still not sure if vestibular therapy is right for you? Here's a symptoms checklist. If you're experiencing any of these, it's worth getting evaluated:

Dizziness and Vertigo Symptoms:

• Room-spinning vertigo, especially with position changes

• Feeling like you're rocking, swaying, or on a boat

• Lightheadedness or feeling "off"

• Dizziness that comes and goes throughout the day

• Symptoms triggered by looking at screens or busy environments

Balance and Movement Issues:

• Unsteadiness when walking, especially in the dark

• Veering to one side when walking

• Difficulty with quick head movements

• Fear of falling or loss of confidence in your balance

• Needing to hold onto walls or furniture

Visual and Cognitive Symptoms:

• Blurred vision with head movement

• Difficulty reading or focusing

• Sensitivity to light or busy visual patterns

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• Feeling overwhelmed in crowded or visually complex spaces

Associated Symptoms:

• Nausea or motion sensitivity

• Headaches or neck pain with dizziness

• Ear fullness or ringing (tinnitus)

• Fatigue from constant symptom management

If several of these sound familiar, you're not crazy and you're not alone. These are real symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, and they respond to proper treatment.

Why Choose Dizzy Free PT in Fishers, IN

When you're searching for "vestibular therapy near me" in the Fishers, Carmel, or Indianapolis area, you have choices. Here's what makes us different:

We specialize exclusively in vestibular disorders. This isn't a side service. It's all we do, which means we've seen thousands of cases and know how to handle even the most complex presentations.

Advanced training and expertise. Dr. Carly and our team have completed extensive specialized training in vestibular rehabilitation, far beyond standard physical therapy education.

We take time to listen. Your first appointment is 60-90 minutes because we believe in understanding the full picture, not rushing through a checklist.

Evidence-based treatment. Everything we do is grounded in current research and proven techniques. We stay current with the latest developments in vestibular therapy.

Local expertise you can trust. We're right here in Fishers, serving the greater Indianapolis community. You don't have to drive hours to find specialized care.

We believe you. If you've been dismissed, told it's "just anxiety," or made to feel like you're overreacting, that stops here. We know your symptoms are real, and we're committed to helping you get better.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your specific condition. BPPV often resolves in 1-3 visits, while other conditions may require 6-12 weeks of treatment. We'll give you a realistic timeline during your evaluation.

Will therapy make me more dizzy?

Some exercises may temporarily increase symptoms as we challenge your vestibular system, but we carefully control this and work within your tolerance. The goal is always controlled, progressive improvement, not overwhelming you.

What if I've already tried vestibular therapy and it didn't work?

Not all vestibular therapy is created equal. If you worked with a general PT or didn't receive a thorough evaluation, the treatment may not have been targeted correctly. We specialize in complex cases and often help patients who haven't improved elsewhere.

Can vestibular therapy help if I've had symptoms for years?

Yes. While earlier treatment typically leads to faster results, we regularly help people who've been suffering for months or years. It may take longer, but improvement is absolutely possible.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Bring any relevant medical records, a list of current medications, your insurance card, and comfortable clothing you can move in. If you have them, bring any imaging results (MRI, CT scans) even if they were "normal."

Ready to Feel Steady Again?

You don't have to keep living like this. You don't have to plan your entire day around avoiding triggers or wondering when the next dizzy spell will hit.

Vestibular therapy works. The research proves it, and more importantly, our patients live it every day.

If you're in Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, or anywhere in the Indianapolis area, we're here and ready to help. We offer free consultations where you can talk with us about your symptoms, ask questions, and find out if vestibular therapy is right for you.

No pressure. No judgment. Just honest answers and a path forward.

Call us at (317) 804-1222 or schedule your free consultation online. Let's figure this out together.

You deserve to live without constantly feeling off-balance. You deserve to trust your body again. And we're ready to help you take back control.

We do more than treat symptoms — we listen, dig deep, and help you understand what's really going on. Through expert care, honest guidance, and a whole lot of support, we help you move from feeling overwhelmed to steady, confident, and back in control.

References

[1] JAMA Neurology. "Effect of Self-treatment of Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo." 2023. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2800168

[2] Frontiers in Neurology. "Evaluating the efficacy of vestibular rehabilitation therapy on quality of life in patients with PPPD." 2025. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1524324/full

[3] International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. "Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation in Children Post-Concussion: A Systematic Review." 2025. https://ijspt.scholasticahq.com/article/128282

[4] PMC. "Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation after Concussion." 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819464/

Looking for Vestibular Therapy in Fishers, IN? Here's What You Need to Know