Balance Center

Are you dizzy? The problem of dizziness is second only to low back pain in complaints heard in doctors' offices around the country.

Additionally, balance and vestibular problems that go undiagnosed, untreated or mistreated in elderly individuals can lead to falls, a major cause of injury in older adults.

Current studies indicate 85% of patients with chronic vestibular (inner ear) dysfunction gain at least partial relief of symptoms after participating in a vestibular rehabilitation program, with approximately 30% being completely cured.

Rehabilitation programs, which include physical and occupational therapy, have a high success rate in helping people with vertigo and balance problems.

If you have dizzy spells, you may need a referral to a Vestibular Rehabilitation Specialist.

Download and take our Henning and Cole Physical Therapy referral to your doctor today!

About Balance

Balance requires input from a number of sensory systems, and the efficiency of these systems decreases with age. The brain, eyes, ears and central nervous system must all work together harmoniously to maintain your balance.

The elderly more frequently suffer from vertigo, but it can happen to anyone at any age. One of the most common causes of vertigo is a loss of function in the sensory organs located in the canals of the inner ears, known as the vestibular system.

Eighty-five percent of dizziness is related to the vestibular system, which is a result of pathology within the inner ear. While not a disease, dizziness is a symptom of a problem within the nervous system.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation of the environment moving around you or the feeling that you, yourself, are spinning in the environment. More commonly known as dizziness, it can be very debilitating.

Signs & Symptoms

• Dysequilibrium
• Gait ataxia
• Persistent position or movement-related dizziness
• Dizziness with head movement, accompanied by nausea and vomiting (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Nystagmus)
• Increased sensitivity to visual motion stimuli
• Vestibular rehabilitation does not help control tinnitus or the attacks of vertigo associated with Meniere's disease

Assessment

Referral by a physician to an Audiologist will result in comprehensive testing procedures that are typically covered by insurance.

• Audiological test
• Special Tests
• Oculomotor test
• Electronystagmography
• Hallpike, caloric & positional testing

Treatment

The patient with a vestibular disorder is typically seen 1-2 times a week for 4-6 weeks by a highly trained physical therapist or occupational therapist that specializes in vestibular rehabilitation. Recent studies have shown that exercise appears to be just as effective as medication in controlling the symptoms of dizziness and dysequilibrium in acute dizzy episodes. However, exercise alone may be more effective in controlling symptoms in the long term. Special eye movement exercises learned in therapy at Henning & Cole Therapy Associates often help vestibular balance problems.

The balance activities help the person maximize the use of the remaining vestibular function, their sight and the sensation in their feet to keep their balance. Because each patient's symptoms and needs are different, it is very important that the program be individually designed to meet those needs.

Vestibular Rehab Program

If you have a balance or a vestibular problem, please realize that adaptation and/or correction of the medical problem takes time. These exercises can temporary reproduce some of your symptoms.

• Special Exercise for Habituation of Dizziness
• Balance Retraining Exercises for Sensory Organization & Motor Coordination
• Fitness Activities to Improve Overall Health/Promote Long-term Retention
• Home Exercise Program 2x/day

To get better, exercises need to mimic some or all of the conditions that generally provoke the onset of your symptoms. Patients need to exercise within their tolerable limits when participating in our effective, medically-proven Vestibular Rehabilitation Programs.

Fall Prevention Tips

Falls can be very dangerous especially in older individuals, those suffering from dizziness should take these extra precautions. Don't Slip Up! Try these balance tips.

• Remove all throw rugs and make sure all electrical and phone cords are tucked out of the way.
• In rooms that have wall-to-wall carpeting, make sure the carpet is secured to the floor and there are no wrinkles or raised areas.
• There are safety rails for the toilet that are attached with the same bolts that hold the seat in place. Also, installing a raised toilet seat will make getting up from the toilet easier.
• Install safety grab bars on the bathtub and on the tub wall and the shower wall. Do not use towel bars or soap dishes. They are not anchored well enough and will pull off the wall if you actually need them to prevent a fall.
• Place a non-skid mat or strips in the bottom of the bathtub.
• Use a shower chair to sit in the shower or a bath bench to sit in the bathtub instead of standing in the shower or sitting on the bottom of the tub.
• There are kits, which can be installed in place of a standard shower that convert to a hand-held shower head.
• Sit when shaving, brushing your teeth, fixing hair, or putting on makeup. Use a table-top mirror or install an extra long mirror over the sink so it can be used while standing or sitting.
• Be aware that you need to be very careful when walking from one surface to another, such as, from the carpeted hall to the tile floor in the bathroom.
• When moving from a lying down to a standing position, sit up first and stay there a minute or two, then stand up slowly and stand a few seconds before trying to walk.
• Arrange items in kitchen cupboards so that frequently used items are within easy reach. A countertop toaster oven may be safer than leaning over and trying to reach into a regular oven.
• Make sure that all stairs are well-lit and free of clutter.
• If you have trouble seeing the edge of the stairs, apply a brightly colored tape to the edge or paint the edge a bright color.
• Always use the railings when going up or down stairs. It is best to have railings on both sides of the stairs. If there is no railing, at least place your hand on the wall while going up or down the stairs.
• Use night-lights to assist you in getting oriented if you get up during the night.
• Have a light you can turn on from your bed if you need to get up at night.
• Try to sit on furniture that is firm, high and has armrests to assist you when standing.
• Consider purchasing a cordless phone to keep beside you so you don't need to jump up to answer it.
• You may wish to consider an emergency response system. These are available at minimal cost through many local hospitals and medical centers.