Physical Therapy to Improve Balance and Alleviate Dizziness

Palm Coast Physical Therapy

Balance disorders can be caused by multiple disease states of the inner ear, muscular system, or neurological conditions. Fortunately, these can be treated with physical therapy by repositioning crystals in the inner ear, regaining muscle strength, improving coordination, and balance reactions. Vestibular balance issues should not be ignored. At least 50 percent of the U.S. population will develop a balance issue, at some point in their lives. Balance disorders typically happen to the aging population, between the ages of 50 to 75, and most of these are related to vestibular disruptions.

Patients suffering from vestibular related disorders frequently experience vertigo, dizziness, nausea, migraines, gait issues, and imbalance. Usually, these symptoms stem from issues in the inner ear. More than 69 million Americans have experienced some form of vestibular problems in their lifetime and that number is on the rise.

BPPV – The most common form of vestibular complications is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo or BPPV.
• Benign – Not life-threatening
• Paroxysmal – Brief spells that come and go
• Positional – Triggered by certain head positions or movements
• Vertigo – A false sense of rotational movement

Tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear dislodge and get caught in one of the three canals in the inner ear. The movement of crystals into the wrong area of the inner ear is usually the cause of BPPV. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo can be effectively treated with special maneuvers that move the crystals through the ear and into their proper anatomical position. In many cases, this alleviates the vertigo and the sensations of dizziness. It is recommended that you see a physical therapist that is specially trained to assess dizziness and vertigo. They will thoroughly evaluate your vertigo and establish what the main mechanism of dizziness is in order to effectively treat your condition.

It is important to have your vestibular disorders assessed and treated as soon as possible. If you have dizziness or balance issues, your likelihood of suffering a fall with possible complications like broken bones is much higher and your quality of life can be significantly limited. Not to mention, that the unpleasant side effects of nausea, limited activity level, and painful headaches can be very stressful.

Upon examination and once the mechanism of dizziness or vertigo is discovered, the physical therapist may refer you to your physician for further studies. If all is clear, the therapist will explain your condition, treat it, and give you instructions for home to alleviate further injury and to promote the most efficacious healing. Through the proper treatment by a qualified and specially trained practitioner, your dizziness can be alleviated and help you to return to your active lifestyle.

Physical therapy is also helpful in treating conditions like retraining the body to improve gait and balance, back and neck pain, and rehabilitation after hip, knee or shoulder surgeries and so much more. There is no better way to alleviate pain, headaches, increase strength and range-of-motion, improve balance, and live a higher quality of life than through physical therapy.

Did you know you DON’T Need a Referral for Palm Coast PT?
Although we highly recommend seeing your physician first, Florida is a “direct access” state, meaning patients can schedule physical therapy without having to see a doctor before treatment is initiated by a physical therapist.

Palm Coast PT
Palm Coast PT’s personalized approach is a big key to their success at creating lasting patient and physician relationships. They offer one-on-one patient care and develop treatment programs

based on each individual’s needs. Their two Doctors of Physical Therapy solely provide treatment. They not only focus specifically on the patient’s treatment diagnosis but also on the body as a whole, giving patients high-quality outcomes with fewer therapy visits required. They believe in clinical excellence with a strong focus on continuing education and manual therapy. They have extensive training in manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and neuromuscular re-education, giving them a solid foundation to treat all musculoskeletal disorders with high patient satisfaction.

Palm Coast PT’s warm and friendly clinic is privately owned and operated by a physical therapist, which enables them to focus on individualized, high-quality patient care. They believe in the “patient first” mentality and focus on creating a sense of well-being for all of their patients. Palm Coast PT’s patients are like family, and they give them the very best of care!

To begin your journey to healing, contact them today at (239) 430-0123 or visit
palmcoastphysicaltherapy.com.

Palm Coast Physical Therapy
3425 10th Street North, Suite 4
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 430-0123