<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" > <channel> <title>BPPV treatment Archives - WWSPT.Com</title> <atom:link href="https://wwspt.com/category/bppv-treatment/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://wwspt.com/category/bppv-treatment/</link> <description>Healing, Function, Recovery, Health</description> <lastBuildDate>Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:19:35 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1</generator> <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">215146180</site> <item> <title>About Vestibular Agnosia (VA)</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/about-vestibular-agnosia-va/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/about-vestibular-agnosia-va/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 05 Jun 2024 23:15:41 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[brain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Agnosia (VA)]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4417</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Vestibular Agnosia (VA)is a newly recognized condition in the brain that results in loss of vertigo perception and postural imbalance. This means there is a disconnect in the brain’s electrical wiring; the white matter tissue has reduced transmission, and therefore, the brain doesn’t recognize dizziness symptoms. VA can cause vertigo and balance problems, spatial and […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/about-vestibular-agnosia-va/">About Vestibular Agnosia (VA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Vestibular Agnosia (VA)is a newly recognized condition in the brain that results in loss of vertigo perception and postural imbalance. This means there is a disconnect in the brain’s electrical wiring; the white matter tissue has reduced transmission, and therefore, the brain doesn’t recognize dizziness symptoms. VA can cause vertigo and balance problems, spatial and motion perception issues, and coordination problems.</p> <p> </p> <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Vestibular-BPPV.png" alt="" width="800" height="533" /></p> <p>In the case of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the brain doesn’t acknowledge vertigo-spinning symptoms. However, patients can still have a postural imbalance that can be associated with a fall. BPPV is associated with an increased incidence of falls, especially in our elderly population. Patients with BPPV normally have an attack of vertigo and feeling off balance. Patients with VA who may have BPPV don’t get that warning spinning and have sudden falls or changes in postural control because the brain isn’t providing the proper signals to interpret vestibular input and prevent a fall.</p> <p>To rule out BPPV, it is important to get a thorough Vestibular evaluation on anyone with sudden falls. Though the perception of vertigo is not present in these patients, the neurological response of nystagmus is apparent on evaluation, and your Vestibular Therapist can effectively treat it with an Epley maneuver in the same way normal BPPV is treated.</p> <p>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.</p> <p>(215) 489 -3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/about-vestibular-agnosia-va/">About Vestibular Agnosia (VA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/about-vestibular-agnosia-va/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4417</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Essential Physical Therapy Screening!</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Gregory Synnestvedt PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:49:56 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Crystals and Canals]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Doylestown PA]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy Screening]]></category> <category><![CDATA[SAFE act]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[World Health Organization]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4366</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The Importance of Physical Therapy Screening for Risk of Falling and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) Falling can happen at any age and cause a person significant injury. For someone over 65 years of age, falls are especially concerning. The World Health Organization recognizes falls as the second most common cause of unintentional death in […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/">Essential Physical Therapy Screening!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Importance of Physical Therapy Screening for Risk of Falling and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Falling can happen at any age and cause a person significant injury. For someone over 65 years of age, falls are especially concerning. The World Health Organization recognizes falls as the second most common cause of unintentional death in the world (after car accident-related injuries) and states that<strong> “older people have the highest risk of death or serious injury arising from a fall, and the risk increases with age.”</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical therapists have long worked with people to figure out what is causing falls or balance problems and how to best reduce the risk of falling and improve balance. The best way to reduce injuries related to falling is to prevent it in the first place. Increased fall prevention awareness in recent decades has led to important new legislation known as the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act, or SAFE Act.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The SAFE Act includes a provision that primary care providers refer their patients to physical therapy for fall prevention evaluation and services if the person has fallen in the last year. Recent economic analysis of how health care is used has shown the cost-effectiveness of physical therapists’ care for fall-related services, mainly through reduced hospital and emergency room admissions.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> More than saving Medicare money, this bill is about improving people’s care and helping prevent injuries and death.</span></p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dr.-Greg-Synnestvedt-Testing.png" alt="" width="796" height="517" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Referral to Physical Therapy for fall-related services is ideal because physical therapists are uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat the most common causes of falling. Balance problems can have many contributing factors, including changes in vestibular function, vision, and cognition, decreased muscle power, reduced endurance, decreased sensation in the feet and joints, and changes in coordination. Physical therapists are trained to evaluate these areas, screen for these issues, and analyze how someone walks and moves in different situations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A <strong>vestibular physical therapist</strong> is particularly well suited to screen for benign paroxysmal vertigo, an issue that can both cause falls and be caused by falls. BPPV is an issue where tiny calcium carbonate crystals that are meant to be in one part of the vestibular system in the inner ear come loose and go into one of the semi-circular canals, which are little tubes that sense turning head movements</span></p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p>1 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/falls<br /> 2 https://www.apta.org/news/2024/03/12/falls-legislation-safe-act<br /> 3 https://www.valueofpt.com/</p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the crystals move in the canals, they stimulate the inner ear and signal to the brain that the head is turning, even though it isn’t. This typically creates a false sense of movement, usually a spinning sensation called vertigo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It turns out that not everyone who has BPPV experiences vertigo or even a dizziness sensation. Someone with BPPV may feel more off balance with movement due to the crystals being out of place but report no dizziness. When we test them with video goggles, however, we will see the classic involuntary eye movements, called nystagmus, used to diagnose BPPV accurately. Treating their BPPV through positioning maneuvers that guide the crystals out of the canals will help their balance improve.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new study from a specialty falls and balance clinic in Melbourne, Australia, found that 1 in 4 patients they saw for falls risk who had BPPV had no symptoms of dizziness!</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This is a great example of why we screen people for BPPV when there is a sudden change in balance function or a recent fall–even if they do not complain of dizziness.</span></p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Do-You-Suffer-From-dizziness-copy.png" alt="" width="639" height="800" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Of course, if a patient feels dizzy, this dizziness can also lead to a fall. Treating someone’s dizziness, understandably, will help reduce their risk of falling. This has now been supported by large-scale research. A 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that using physical therapy decreased fall risk in patients in the US who had dizziness.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The study found that 7% of adults being evaluated for dizziness had a fall resulting in a medical encounter within a year of experiencing dizziness. Receiving physical therapy within 3 months of the initial dizziness visit was associated with an 86% decrease in the odds of falling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This underscores the value of physical therapy care—particularly by a physical therapist with training and expertise in treating dizziness—for those who have fallen or feel at risk of falling or for those who are experiencing dizziness. If your healthcare provider recommends you seek physical therapy care due to a fall, following through with the therapy is in your best interest. And if you are dizzy, you can reduce your risk of falling by receiving physical therapy. The physical therapists at WWSPT would be happy to help you reduce your risk of falling and feel more confident in your balance again. </span></p> <p>Dr. Greg Synnestvedt, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>_____________________________________</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 4 </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Susan Hyland, Lyndon J. Hawke & Nicholas F. Taylor (2024) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo without dizziness is common in people presenting to falls clinics, Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI: </span><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2320271"><span style="font-weight: 400;">10.1080/09638288.2024.2320271 </span></a></p> <p>5<span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marmor S, Karaca-Mandic P, Adams ME. Use of Physical Therapy and Subsequent Falls Among Patients With Dizziness in the US. </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> 2023;149(12):1083–1090. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2023.2840 </span></p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/">Essential Physical Therapy Screening!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/essential-physical-therapy-screening/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4366</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Physical Therapy Technology and Research Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Nguyen PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:02:32 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[acute care]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Combined Sections Metting (CMS)]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[long COVID]]></category> <category><![CDATA[neurology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[orthopedic treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pelvic Floor]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapist]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VR]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=4356</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Boston, Massachusetts, last month. CSM is a yearly conference held over multiple days where thousands of physical therapists worldwide meet and share the latest technology and research. Educational sessions last about two hours each, with endless daily poster presentations. Topics […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/">Physical Therapy Technology and Research Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) in Boston, Massachusetts, last month. CSM is a yearly conference held over multiple days where thousands of physical therapists worldwide meet and share the latest technology and research.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CMS_Mtg_Classroom.jpg " alt="" width="640" height="800" /></p> <p>Educational sessions last about two hours each, with endless daily poster presentations. Topics included orthopedics, pelvic floor, acute care, neurology, and vestibular. I attended various vestibular courses over the two days I was there. I sat in lectures held by some of the most innovative heads of the vestibular world, like Dr. Susan Whitney (University of Pittsburgh), Dr. Barry Semongal (Imperial College London), Dr. Janet Helmeinski (Rosalind Franklin University) and Dr. Janene Holmberg (Intermountain Healthcare out of Salt Lake, Utah).</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/CMS_Boston_2024.jpg" alt="" width="619" height="800" /></p> <p>They spoke about various vestibular topics, such as the latest BPPV research, treatment of different types of BPPV, chronic dizziness, and even appropriate treatment for dizziness from long COVID.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hemanski_Ostroski.jpg" alt="" width="604" height="341" /></p> <p>I learned so much from this esteemed group and was excited to take the knowledge back to WWSPT, where I can share it with my colleagues and use it to treat my patients.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Amanda Nguyen, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3234</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/">Physical Therapy Technology and Research Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/physical-therapy-technology-and-research-combined-sections-meeting-csm/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4356</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Finding the Balance in Your Balance System</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenna McLane PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:31:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Balanec Awareness Week]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bucks County Womens Journal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[joints]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VeDa]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3555</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Is it uncomfortable for you to stand still while having an unexpected conversation? Are you looking for something sturdy to rest your hand on? Perhaps you second-guess invitations to picnics or sporting events because walking on the grass is challenging. Maybe you find yourself parking closer and closer to the shopping cart corral so that you […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/">Finding the Balance in Your Balance System</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Is it uncomfortable for you to stand still while having an unexpected conversation? Are you looking for something sturdy to rest your hand on? Perhaps you second-guess invitations to picnics or sporting events because walking on the grass is challenging. Maybe you find yourself parking closer and closer to the shopping cart corral so that you have something to lean on to get into the store.</p> <p>These are all typical behaviors reported in our physical therapy clinic. Not all patients come to us because they have vertigo or are spinning. Many people who arrive at our clinic report limiting their social activities and the hobbies they enjoy due to feeling less confident on their feet. Not all have fallen; some just experience stumbling and tripping at times.</p> <p>Balance, your body’s ability to keep your center of mass over your support base, is something we often take for granted until we struggle with it. Physical therapy can be beneficial in restoring your balance when it is compromised.</p> <p><img decoding="async" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Balance-Vision-Propreoceptors-Vestibular--scaled.jpeg" alt="" /></p> <p>Our bodies rely on peripheral feedback systems to give the brain the information it needs to stay upright and avoid falling. The three sensory systems include our vision, proprioception, and vestibular systems.</p> <p>First, let’s discuss the role your vision plays in balance. Your brain relies on this to learn how your body fits in the surrounding environment. For example, if you see people coming toward you or the ground is uneven up ahead, adjust accordingly.</p> <p>Next, you rely on information from your proprioceptors. These are the sensors in your joints, muscles, and skin that provide information to your brain about where your body is in space. Let’s pretend you are walking down a slope right now. Pressure from your shoe against your foot, a stretch to the muscles in front of your lower leg, and a slight bend in your knee inform your brain that you are on a decline. Someone with peripheral neuropathy, an artificial joint, or an injury can have impaired proprioceptive feedback.</p> <p>Lastly, the vestibular system also provides your brain with information about your movement in space. This is found in your ear, beyond the eardrum. The system has five end organs, including the utricle, saccule, and three semicircular canals. The utricle and saccule have small hair cells that detect horizontal and vertical acceleration, such as riding in a car or going up an elevator.</p> <p>The fluid-filled semicircular canals detect rotational movement in different planes. When your head turns, the left and right vestibular systems generate an impulse based on the fluid shift. This impulse travels to the brainstem and directs the appropriate muscular and visual responses that keep you moving smoothly. When both the left and right vestibular systems are healthy and work together, these adjustments are typically not noticed. But people with damage or weakness in one or both vestibular systems may feel unsteady on their feet, dizzy, or disoriented (as if their eyes are bouncing).</p> <p>When patients arrive at WWSPT with complaints of unsteadiness, we look at their whole medical picture. We thoroughly review their history to identify variables that may be influencing their balance. Do they have chronic back pain or diabetes that may impair their sensation? Have they been on medications that may impact the function of their vestibular system? Are they smokers, have they experienced migraines, and have trouble multitasking? These are just a few questions we may ask that are extremely helpful in identifying possible contributing causes to patients’ imbalance.</p> <p>After reviewing their history, we evaluate how they move. Is one hip weaker than the other? Are stairs difficult? Is there a difference when walking on a smooth indoor surface and going outside? Do busy environments suddenly make them reach for support?</p> <p>Next, we thoroughly evaluate their vestibular system and how the vestibular ocular reflex or VOR reflex works. We screen them for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and evaluate their balance statically and dynamically.</p> <p>First-time patients may feel intimidated by the “strange” exercises they see other patients doing in the gym. Our expertise in balance training allows us to incorporate patients’ individual goals into their therapy. Patients who struggle with talking to their friends while on a walk may be asked to walk, turn their heads, and simultaneously list their weekly grocery items. A hiker, who misses walking in the woods, may find him or herself stepping across our river rocks while wearing a weighted vest. We like to keep it interesting!</p> <p><img decoding="async" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/do-you-suffer-from-Dizziness-.png" alt="" /></p> <p>If you have noticed something doesn’t quite feel right in your movement, do not simply accept imbalance as a part of aging. If left untreated, this could lead to a fall. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults over 65. Enhancing your balance system through physical therapy can help you maintain your independence and the quality of life you enjoy. Be your advocate. Please get in touch with WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA., for your balance assessment and treatment plan!</p> <p>Dr. Jenna L. McLane, PT, DPT,</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/">Finding the Balance in Your Balance System</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/finding-the-balance-in-your-balance-system/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3555</post-id> </item> <item> <title>The 3Ds: Diagnostic Dilemma of Dizziness</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/the-3ds-diagnostic-dilemma-of-dizziness/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/the-3ds-diagnostic-dilemma-of-dizziness/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:46:05 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Bucks County Womens Journal]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Epley maneuver]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3426</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Our latest article in the Bucks County Women’s Journal, BCWJ, April – May Helping people resolve Vertigo and Dizziness symptoms is my passion. For the past 30 years at WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA. (WWSPT), I have had the privilege of helping thousands of community members alleviate these symptoms. Over the past […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/the-3ds-diagnostic-dilemma-of-dizziness/">The 3Ds: Diagnostic Dilemma of Dizziness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Our latest article in the Bucks County Women’s Journal, BCWJ, April – May</p> <p>Helping people resolve Vertigo and Dizziness symptoms is my passion. For the past 30 years at WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA. (WWSPT), I have had the privilege of helping thousands of community members alleviate these symptoms.</p> <p>Over the past few decades, the field of Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) has dramatically expanded. Many more researchers are brilliantly discovering new and effective treatment advances to help physical therapists diagnose and care for patients suffering from Vestibular Dysfunction. To provide our clients with the best care, I strive to stay current on new studies involving vestibular diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular Migraine, Meniere’s disease, and Balance issues. How we evaluate our patients to achieve an accurate vestibular diagnosis is essential to their recovery. My staff shares this passion, and we work together to achieve the best outcomes for our patients.</p> <p>What is the Vestibular System? The inner ear is a tiny but complex neural structure that coordinates with our eyes to create a clear vision, guide our muscles and postural system to help us move about with good balance, and let our brain know our direction. The semicircular canals are like a gyroscope sensing rotation, and the otoliths sense acceleration and tilting. Together, they allow us to walk, run, and play without thinking about it.</p> <p>When Vestibular Dysfunction occurs, patients have symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, nausea, and falling. They have difficulty moving and feel poorly. Many vestibular system disorders occur together, including the most common problem, BPPV, which often follows an attack of vestibular neuritis. Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraine have similar tinnitus symptoms, headaches, and vertigo attacks lasting 2 to 24 hours. These symptoms cause imbalance and distress for patients.</p> <p>Patients have a variety of symptoms on a given day, making it difficult for healthcare providers to diagnose which type of vestibular disorder is plaguing them. With 30 years of experience in the VR field, I often see patients who have been to 4 to 5 physicians or had several ER visits because of acute vertigo,, which can present as a stroke with sudden onset. The most common disorder, BPPV, is far from benign to these patients suffering from debilitating or even disabling symptoms of spinning, nausea, vomiting, and imbalance.</p> <p>At this point, when physicians refer dizzy patients to WWSPT, patients are frustrated and have begun to limit their lifestyle to avoid activities that they believe have caused an attack in the past. For example, patients avoid sleeping on a particular side because rolling to that side caused a vertigo attack three years ago. Simple avoidances for fear of triggering another episode can shrink their world.</p> <p>Our role as specialists in Vestibular Rehabilitation is to become a detective. Not the type you see on TV that finds the killer or the stolen property, but a medical detective who works with your physicians to gather history and information about the tests performed. We do this by taking a detailed account and listening to a patient’s description of episodes. During the evaluation, we piece together bits of information and have the ability to connect certain things that may impact symptoms, such as stress and sleep. We may also help patients correlate other symptoms that could be related to their dizziness. For example, patients might not realize that their headaches or tinnitus are related to their episodes of vertigo. Connecting the evident and not-so-obvious dots will help determine tests to perform.</p> <p>We have several types of technology to assist us. The first is called a Videonystagmoscope; an infrared video camera placed on the patient’s eyes within goggles. These goggles allow observation of the eyes’ nystagmus patterns during an exam, such as the Hallpike Dix positional test. While wearing the goggles, the patient only sees darkness, which gives us a different view of how the eyes and nervous system work in the dark compared to room light.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wendy-demonstrates-BPPV-Lens.png" alt="" width="1772" height="1228" /></p> <p>Interpretation of nystagmus takes skill and experience since no two patients are the same and vestibular disorders commonly overlap. The video of the nystagmus pattern is crucial in helping us discern one vestibular disorder from another and determine whether the brain is more involved than the inner ear. For BPPV, the infrared goggles diagnose which of the three semicircular canals is causing vertigo. They help therapists accurately perform treatment with maneuvers such as the Epley. The technology allows us to see if our treatment choice is patients referred by other physicians by watching the nystagmus pattern during maneuvers.</p> <p>Another helpful technology is the Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) which looks at the patient’s eyes in room light and measures the eyes’ reflexive response to quick head movements. It screens for vestibular disorders and can help diagnose inner-ear issues from central pathways of the brain linked to the ear. The information from this testing can help therapists adjust their treatment to allow patients the best recovery.</p> <p><img decoding="async" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/do-you-suffer-from-Dizziness-.png" alt="" /></p> <p>My colleagues and I at WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA., are specialists in diagnosing and treating all vestibular disorders. The key is a thorough history and clinical exam, coupled with the latest technology to provide an accurate diagnosis and ensure we choose the best options for recovery. Please find more information about WWSPT on our website at <a href="http://www.wwspt.com/">www.wwspt.com.</a></p> <p>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy & Vestibular Rehabilitation<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> (215) 489-3242</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/the-3ds-diagnostic-dilemma-of-dizziness/">The 3Ds: Diagnostic Dilemma of Dizziness</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/the-3ds-diagnostic-dilemma-of-dizziness/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3426</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Dentist Chair Triggers</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/dentist-chair-triggers/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/dentist-chair-triggers/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:53:47 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Epley maneuver]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Treatments]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3339</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>At the WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation clinic, Doylestown, PA., we treat many patients with a type of #vertigo, called Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo, or #BPPV. BPPV is a peripheral #vestibular disorder involving the inner ear that causes spells of dizziness typically lasting less than one minute when the head is in certain head […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/dentist-chair-triggers/">Dentist Chair Triggers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At the WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation clinic, Doylestown, PA., we treat many patients with a type of #vertigo, called Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo, or #BPPV. BPPV is a peripheral #vestibular disorder involving the inner ear that causes spells of dizziness typically lasting less than one minute when the head is in certain head positions. And Vertigo is defined as an illusion of movement or a sense of spinning. In BPPV, vertigo is brief, lasting only a few seconds.</p> <p>So, you ask – <strong>What does BPPV have to do with the Dentist’s chair?</strong> One wouldn’t think that #BPPV has anything to do with going to the dentist, but patients often have #BPPV attacks when laid back in the dentist’s chair. It’s not the dentist or hygienist that causes the attack, but it is the <strong>position</strong> that the patient is put in. Sitting or lying back in the dentist’s chair can trigger #vertigo by allowing the “crystals” in the inner ear to shift.</p> <p> </p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BPPV-TRIGGERS-DENTIST-CHAIR.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>The mechanism causing Vertigo involves these displaced #crystals, called #otoconia, which, with treatment, we effectively return to the right chamber of the inner ear. Treatment consists in performing an #Epley maneuver by a Certified Vestibular Physical Therapist for Inner Ear disorders and Balance disorders — we lay the patient on their back while tilting their head back and maneuvering their head and body to shift the otoconia to the correct position. See the video below:</p> <p> </p> <div class="wwspt-content-box"> <div class="wwspt-treat-box"> <h2>Physical Therapy for BPPV Vertigo</h2> </div> </div> <div class="wwspt-content-box" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="su-row"> <div class="su-column su-column-size-1-2"><div class="su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim"> Many symptoms can be attributed to the vestibular system, such as Vertigo or spinning, motion-triggered dizziness, feeling off-balance, lightheadedness. A vestibular rehab is an exercise approach provided by a Certified Vestibular Physical Therapist for Inner Ear disorders and Balance disorders that affect people in their daily lives.<br /> </div></div> <div class="su-column su-column-size-1-2"><div class="su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim"> <center><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9SLm76jQg3g" width="auto" height="280" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></center><br /> </div></div> </div></div> <div class="wwspt-content-box"> <p> </p> <p>After treatment, we educate the patients about what to do and what not to do. The dentist chair and the hairdresser’s shampoo bowl are two activities we stress to avoid for the next 24 hours. The angle of these activities can allow the #otoconia (crystals) to dislodge again.</p> <div class="su-row"> <div class="su-column su-column-size-1-2"><div class="su-column-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim"> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Download BPPV Brochure:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BPPV-Brochure-Updated-2021pdf-update.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-844 size-medium" style="border: 1px solid #ececec;" title="BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) Brochure" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/bppv-brochure-228x300.jpg" alt="BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) Brochure" width="228" height="300" /></a></div></div> </div> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS,</p> <p>WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,<br /> Doylestown, PA.</p> </div> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/dentist-chair-triggers/">Dentist Chair Triggers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/dentist-chair-triggers/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3339</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Imbalance Impacts Our Lives!</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jenna McLane PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:20:04 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[balance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eye Strain]]></category> <category><![CDATA[headache]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Migraines]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Somatosensory System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Visual System]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3248</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>It’s Balance Awareness Week at WWSPT and a time for us to acknowledge the impact #imbalance has on our lives. Many people know very little about #dizziness and #vertigo until they suffer from it themselves. It can be quite unnerving to suddenly feel off #balance. The truth is #balance is achieved through input from our […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/">Imbalance Impacts Our Lives!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s Balance Awareness Week at WWSPT and a time for us to acknowledge the impact #imbalance has on our lives. Many people know very little about #dizziness and #vertigo until they suffer from it themselves. It can be quite unnerving to suddenly feel off #balance.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/BPPVanDizziness.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>The truth is #balance is achieved through input from our visual system, feedback from our proprioceptors, and our #vestibular system. Many of our patients come to us feeling #unsteady and they don’t know why. We often find that these patients may have some visual impairment and diminished proprioception at baseline that they have been able to compensate for until they suffer from a new-onset vestibular issue that suddenly magnifies the deficits that they were already coping with.</p> <p> </p> <p>Most individuals assume that if they have #vertigo they must have “crystals out” or #BPPV. The fact is, many things can cause #dizziness including but not limited to issues with the #vestibular system. Unsteadiness and or vertigo can be caused by displaced otoconia (BPPV), infection or vascular damage of the inner ear (neuritis/labyrinthitis), migraine, and more. This is just a very short list of common vestibular disorders. In addition, one can also be unsteady due to cardiac issues, peripheral neuropathy, and disorders of the brain and brainstem.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/man-dizzy-dizziness.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Not all dizziness is due to crystals and not all unsteadiness is due to aging, as so many of our patients assume. If you are struggling on your feet with your balance, please give us a call at WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation, Doylestown, PA.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr, Jenna McLane, PT, DPT,<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,<br /> Doylestown, PA.<br /> 215-490-3234</p> <p> </p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/">Imbalance Impacts Our Lives!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-impacts-our-lives/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3248</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Vestibular Rehabilitation Answers Vertigo Issues</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/vestibular-rehabilitation-answers-vertigo-issues/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/vestibular-rehabilitation-answers-vertigo-issues/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 21 Sep 2021 05:00:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Epley maneuver]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Physical Therapy]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VR]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=2169</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>“Vestibular Rehabilitation: An answer for Vertigo” from a previous article in the Bucks County Herald By Wendy Webb Schoenewald PT OCS People who have Vertigo, and are suffering from symptoms of dizziness, nausea, loss of balance and vomiting, may not know that there is a simple treatment that can cure those symptoms and allow them […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/vestibular-rehabilitation-answers-vertigo-issues/">Vestibular Rehabilitation Answers Vertigo Issues</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>“Vestibular Rehabilitation: An answer for Vertigo”<br /> from a previous article in the Bucks County Herald By Wendy Webb Schoenewald PT OCS</p> <p>People who have Vertigo, and are suffering from symptoms of dizziness, nausea, loss of balance and vomiting, may not know that there is a simple treatment that can cure those symptoms and allow them to return to life as normal.</p> <p>Physical therapists expertly trained in vestibular therapy can perform a single maneuver on patients experiencing these symptoms that 80 percent of the time will eliminate vertigo.</p> <p>“It’s a pretty amazing process, that you lay someone down, maneuver their head and body and their symptoms are gone,” said Wendy Webb Schoenewald, physical therapist and owner of WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation in Doylestown. Many times when we treat orthopedic conditions, it’s six weeks before they’re better, this it is very quickly resolved with a couple of treatments with no drugs involved.”<br /> The physical therapists at WWSPT are trained certified vestibular therapists who treat patients with vertigo.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-532" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Treating-BPPV-with-Frenzel-Lens-753x358.jpg" alt="" width="753" height="358" srcset="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Treating-BPPV-with-Frenzel-Lens-753x358.jpg 753w, https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Treating-BPPV-with-Frenzel-Lens-753x358-300x143.jpg 300w, https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Treating-BPPV-with-Frenzel-Lens-753x358-250x119.jpg 250w, https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Treating-BPPV-with-Frenzel-Lens-753x358-750x358.jpg 750w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px" /></p> <p>Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV, is a peripheral vestibular disorder involving the inner ear that causes spells of vertigo that typically last less than one minute when the head is in certain positions. It occurs when crystals call otoconia are displaced into the canals.<br /> Vertigo can make common, everyday tasks, like doing sit-ups, reaching for a kitchen cabinet, or bending over to pick something up difficult, inducing nausea and vomiting.</p> <p>This can mean patients avoid doing things they love, like working out. For elderly patients, this can mean a loss of mobility and independence if left untreated because they may be afraid that moving around could cause them to fall. For this reason, it is very important for patients to be treated immediately.</p> <p>A trained therapist can confirm the diagnosis of BPPV.<br /> The treatment for this type of vertigo involves manually moving the crystals out of the canals.</p> <p>The most common treatment, the Epley Maneuver, will correct vertigo in one visit 80 percent of the time when performed by a physical therapist who has been specifically trained in vestibular therapy. A skilled therapist will take the patient and lay them down with their head tilted to get the crystals to move. When dizziness subsides, and the crystals have settled into a new position, the therapist will move the patient a second time, to move the crystals farther along out of the canal. When dizziness subsides, the patient will sit up, and the crystals will have moved back into the correct location. To check and make sure all the crystals were put back correctly, the Epley Maneuver is performed a second time to confirm the patient isn’t still getting dizzy.</p> <p>Even though the treatment is simple and effective, patients may put off contacting a therapist because they don’t want to feel worse before they feel better.</p> <p>“We’re effective at keeping symptoms as minimal as possible to successfully treat BPPV,” Schoenewald said.</p> <p>If you or a family member is suffering from vertigo or dizzy symptoms it is important to see your primary care provider, who can directly refer to a vestibular physical therapist.</p> <p>For more information or to schedule an appointment, Contact WWSPT Staff at 215.489.3234.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/vestibular-rehabilitation-answers-vertigo-issues/">Vestibular Rehabilitation Answers Vertigo Issues</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/vestibular-rehabilitation-answers-vertigo-issues/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2169</post-id> </item> <item> <title>Imbalance can be Debilitating!</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-can-be-debilitating/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-can-be-debilitating/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kelsey Krebs Hanlon, PT, DPT]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:49:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VeDa]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vertigo]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=2697</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>It’s almost Balance Awareness Week! September 19 – 25, 2021 Having a good balance is something that many of us take for granted, but many people, especially in the older population, experience imbalance on a daily basis that can be debilitating. There are three main systems that contribute to a person’s balance. The first is […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/imbalance-can-be-debilitating/">Imbalance can be Debilitating!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s almost Balance Awareness Week!<br /> September 19 – 25, 2021</p> <p>Having a good balance is something that many of us take for granted, but many people, especially in the older population, experience imbalance on a daily basis that can be debilitating.</p> <p>There are three main systems that contribute to a person’s balance. The first is the <strong>visual system</strong>, which most people rely on as the primary system for balance. This reliance can present problems in low-light situations such as nighttime, or with visual changes that occur with age. The second is our <strong>proprioception system</strong>, which involves the ability of receptors in the joints of our feet and ankles to sense their position, as well as sensation, which can be disrupted with certain diseases such as peripheral neuropathy. The final contributor is your <strong>vestibular system</strong>, which is the tiny center located in your inner ear responsible for sending information to your brain regarding head movements and positioning. There are various disorders that can impact the vestibular system, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), unilateral vestibular loss (UVL), and Meniere’s Disease.</p> <p> </p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/balance.png" alt="" /></p> <p>There are also other factors that can impact balance including leg strength and flexibility, hearing, brain injury, and cognitive function. Staying active and keeping up with yearly hearing and vision examinations can help to prevent imbalance. While people tend to associate a declining balance with age, many do not realize that balance can be improved. This can be essential for decreasing fall risk, which is significant because The World Health Organization lists fall(s) as the second leading cause of accidental injury and death worldwide.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Balance-come.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Physical Therapists, especially those who specialize in vestibular rehabilitation at WWSPT, are able to assess the contributing factors to your balance and design an exercise program that focuses on these deficits. The program may include leg strengthening and flexibility exercises, balance exercises, and head and eye movement exercises designed to improve the function of your vestibular system. If you are feeling less confident with your balance, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or a physical therapist and request a consultation. It’s never too late to improve your balance and your confidence!</p> <p> </p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Balance-Go.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>A simple exercise that can be done to work on balance is to stand near a stable surface with your feet together. The goal would be to maintain this position for 30 seconds. This exercise can be progressed to standing with feet together with one foot slightly in front of the other, standing with one foot directly in front of the other, and to balancing on only one leg. As a general rule, the activity should be challenging but not so hard that you are unable to complete it for at least 8-10 seconds. To make a position more challenging, you can close your eyes (removing your vision and therefore one of your balance systems completely!), but remember that this will make the exercise much harder, and be sure that you are able to grab onto the stable surface if needed to avoid a fall. Try to perform this exercise 1-2 X per day if possible.</p> <p>Dr. Kelsey Hanlon, PT, DPT<br /> WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation,<br /> Doylestown, PA.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/imbalance-can-be-debilitating/">Imbalance can be Debilitating!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/imbalance-can-be-debilitating/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">2697</post-id> </item> <item> <title>“Brain Fog” is now being associated with post COVID-19 symptoms</title> <link>https://wwspt.com/brain-fog-is-now-being-associated-with-post-covid-19-symptoms/</link> <comments>https://wwspt.com/brain-fog-is-now-being-associated-with-post-covid-19-symptoms/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Wendy Webb Schoenewald, PT, OCS]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 19 May 2021 14:31:41 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV]]></category> <category><![CDATA[BPPV treatment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Coronavirus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[COVID-19]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Dizziness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[falls]]></category> <category><![CDATA[mental health]]></category> <category><![CDATA[pandemic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VeDa]]></category> <category><![CDATA[vestibular disorders]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[VR]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWS Physical Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[WWSPT]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://wwspt.com/?p=3062</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>One year after we entered the Public Health Emergency of COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are gathering information about common symptoms associated with patients post covid episodes. Thirty percent of post-COVID patients have some form of neurological symptoms which include common vestibular symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, balance issues, and earaches. Sometimes these symptoms are short term but […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/brain-fog-is-now-being-associated-with-post-covid-19-symptoms/">“Brain Fog” is now being associated with post COVID-19 symptoms</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One year after we entered the Public Health Emergency of COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are gathering information about common symptoms associated with patients post covid episodes. Thirty percent of post-COVID patients have some form of neurological symptoms which include common vestibular symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, balance issues, and earaches. Sometimes these symptoms are short term but they can also persist for 4-8 weeks afterward</p> <p>Most of us are aware of the most common neurological symptoms of ageusia, lack of taste and anosmia, lack of smell, which are both cranial nerves with direct input to the brain. The vestibular nerve which is also a cranial nerve for the inner ear is also affected in a smaller population, approximately 0.6%. Patients with vestibular symptoms are frequently referred to WWSPT since we are experts in the field of Vestibular Rehabilitation. Most have complaints of lightheadedness, headaches, and dizziness but researchers have found up to 6% having acute vertigo attacks.</p> <p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://wwspt.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BRAIN-FOG.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p>Headaches and dizziness can also be associated with Brain fog. What is “<strong>Brain fog</strong>”? it is not a medical condition. It’s a <strong>term</strong> used for certain <strong>symptoms</strong> that can affect your ability to think. You may feel confused or disorganized or find it hard to focus or put your thoughts into words. Brain fog is a common vestibular symptom and now is also being associated with post covid symptoms, your vestibular therapist can help!!</p> <p>The article below gives more information about post covid symptoms and brain fog.</p> <div><span id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT146_com_zimbra_url" class="Object" role="link"><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/06/992401123/if-your-brain-feels-foggy-and-youre-tired-all-the-time-youre-not-alone" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/05/06/992401123/if-your-brain-feels-foggy-and-youre-tired-all-the-time-youre-not-alone</a></span></div> <div></div> <div>Wendy Webb Schoenewald, Pt, OCS,</div> <div>WWS Physical Therapy and VestibularRehabilitation</div> <div>Doylestown, PA.</div> <p>The post <a href="https://wwspt.com/brain-fog-is-now-being-associated-with-post-covid-19-symptoms/">“Brain Fog” is now being associated with post COVID-19 symptoms</a> appeared first on <a href="https://wwspt.com">WWSPT.Com</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://wwspt.com/brain-fog-is-now-being-associated-with-post-covid-19-symptoms/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3062</post-id> </item> </channel> </rss>