Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation
Ascension Saint Agnes Rehabilitation Services offers a unique, multidisciplinary approach to assist individuals whose balance or dizziness limits every day activity and mobility.
Balance is a physical ability that changes with age, but for many people, it can be improved with a targeted treatment approach. Balance can be affected by many factors including loss of strength/flexibility, visual changes, reaction time and inner ear dysfunction. A thorough evaluation by our team can assist you with targeting your areas of need.
Commonly Treated Diagnoses
Our therapists have advanced training and treat people with a variety of balance and vestibular
diagnoses, including:
- Vestibular (inner ear) disorders: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibulopathy
- Neurological disorders, including stroke, head injury, tumors, Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
- Orthopedic disorders including total joint replacements
- Sensory loss due to diabetes or peripheral neuropathy
- Recurrent falls or near-falls
- Imbalance or unsteady gait
Partners in Recovery
Your team may include an audiologist, physical therapist and an occupational therapist.
Audiologists provide diagnostic tests to determine if the symptoms are related to the inner ear. Testing may include:
- Audiologic evaluation
- Electronystagmography (ENG) or video-nystagmography (VNG)
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluation
Physical therapists provide treatment to improve:
- Imbalance and unsteadiness
- Vestibular disorders
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Walking
- Recurrent falls and near-falls
- Muscle and joint systems
Occupational therapists provide care to improve:
- Daily living skills
- Safe driving skills
- Home and environment safety
- Visual problems
- Memory
Getting Started
A physician’s referral is necessary before an evaluation or treatment can be performed. Please contact your physician if you experience imbalance, dizziness or falls. You may be at risk for falls if you answer yes to one or more of the following:
- Are you dizzy when you turn your head, look up or down, or when you turn over in bed?
- Do you use a cane or walker?
- Have you fallen in the past year?
- Are you inactive? Answer yes if you do not participate in active exercise 20-30 minutes at least three times per week.
- Does your lack of balance limit your ability to complete job and household activities?
- Do you take more than four prescription medications?
- Do you feel unsteady when walking, climbing stairs, reaching or performing everyday activities?
For more information or to make a referral, call 667-234-2800.
