VESTIBULAR / Balance
Dizziness- You don't have to live with it!
Is vertigo, dizziness or unsteadiness affecting your quality of life? Have you been told “you have to learn to live with it?” According to the University of Wisconsin Division of Otolaryngology, approximately 40% of all adults experience dizziness severe enough to report to their doctor. 50% of patients do not get a diagnosis and 70% are given expensive prescription drugs to treat the symptoms. Yet surprisingly, most patients and physicians are unaware that most types of dizziness and balance disorders can be effectively treated with a specialized form of physical therapy.
Balance Rehabilitation is Orange County’s most experienced physical therapy practice devoted to vestibular rehabilitation and the evaluation and treatment of vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders. We specialize in physical therapy and treatment of vestibular and balance disorders. We are here to work with you and your physician to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Do you have these symptoms?
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Vertigo (spinning sensation)
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Imbalance or unsteadiness
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Motion sickness/intolerance
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Falling, or near falls
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A feeling of being “spacey”
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Numbness, tingling in your extremities
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Neck pain, headaches or migraines
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Decreased concentration
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Foggy or fuzzy headedness
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Visual blurring or bouncing
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Muscle weakness or limited range of motion
BPPV
Episodes of vertigo, usually described as “the room spinning,” usually brought on by head movements (example: body position changes (example: lying down).
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Viral Neuritis/ Labryinthitis
A viral infection of the inner ear affecting either the vestibular nerve or the membranous labyrinth respectively characterized by a sudden onset of vertigo and nausea.
Meniere’s Disease
A disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance. It causes sudden attacks of vertigo, tinnitus, and a loss of hearing that may become permanent.
Acoustic Neuroma
An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that slowly grows on this nerve. People with acoustic neuromas can also have problems with dizziness, vision, and/or balance.
Migraine Associated Vertigo
Sometimes a migraine happens in the area of the brain called the vestibular system. The brain then becomes very sensitive to light, sound, and visual motion
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Post-Traumatic Vertigo
Dizziness after a head injury (example: labyrinthine concussion).
Treatment by Vestibular Specialist
Unfortunately, because of the broad range in symptoms, patients with dizziness and balance disorders are often misunderstood. This commonly leads to numerous visits to multiple health care providers, resulting in thousands of dollars in costs without an accurate diagnosis or appropriate treatment – not to mention discouragement on the part of the patient.
State-of-the-art treatment demands an accurate assessment before initiation of physical therapy. We utilize advanced diagnostic tools to quickly and accurately identify the source of the patient’s complaints. We offer testing and treatment by Physical Therapists with Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation.
Neurocom's Computerized Dynamic Posturography
NeuroCom’s Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) is the Gold Standard in the literature for assessment of vestibular and balance disorders. Balance Rehabilitation is equipped with this assessment tool.
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CDP is comprised of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Motor Control Test (MCT) and Adaptation Test (ADT) protocols is the standard of care for the assessment and treatment of patients with balance, dizziness and mobility problems. Because CDP can identify and quantify the sensory (visual, vestibular and somatosensory) and motor functions involved in balance control, the information obtained provides an efficient means of understanding your patients’ balance deficits and can effectively guide your treatment planning.
Balance Loss- A Significant Health Concern
Balance is an integral part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older experiences a fall. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. Falls are a public health problem, but fortunately, they are largely preventable. Balance Rehabilitation has been successfully helping people improve their balance and mobility for over a decade with our specialized evaluation and treatment methods and our continued pursuit of excellence in physical therapy.
Balance is a Complex System
The ability to maintain balance is a complex process that depends on three major components: (1) your sensory systems for accurate information about your body’s position relative to your environment; (2) your brain’s ability to process this information; and (3) your muscles and joints for coordinating the movements required to maintain balance. Because of the complexity of balance control, not all balance problems are the same and diagnosing a balance problem and its specific cause or causes can be difficult for many healthcare providers. Not Us!
We can Help!
With the given complexity of the balance system, it is imperative that a thorough evaluation and assessment be conducted in order to effectively and efficiently address an individual’s issues. We utilize the latest technology and assessment methods to help identify the areas resulting in an individual’s balance problem. We then communicate with your referring medical doctor to ensure we have a complete understanding of your medical history. We listen to your concerns, limitations, and goals and construct a treatment plan that is individualized, safe, and effective. We are referred to by numerous physicians throughout Orange County as the best facility to help their patients suffering from balance and mobility disorders. Call to schedule an initial evaluation and let us improve your quality of life with our commitment to excellence in vestibular rehabilitation therapy!