Your First Visit
Posted on 26. Oct, 2011 by admin in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
An initial visit with a PT can make some people nervous. What will happen? What will they ask? What do I wear? Don’t worry. These questions are typical and here is a simple run through as to what to expect on your first visit.
When your first walk in, the front desk will get you set up and verify your benefits. After this, the physical therapist will begin by asking you a few questions about your past medical history and about the specific condition you want treated. Other questions asked are about your home or work environment to let the PT understand your habits and activity level. Giving detailed information will best help the physical therapist decide which treatments you will benefit from.
After having a complete discussion, your physical therapist will begin a thorough examination. This examination can include an evaluation of your strength, balance, flexibility, posture and coordination. The physical therapist can also examine the affected area to view the mobility of your muscles, joints and other tissues. The therapist might also examine your walk, body mechanics and functional activities, i.e. getting out of a chair. Since you will be doing some exercises it is good to wear clothes you will be comfortable in. For upper extremity problems wear a loose fitting shirt or tank top. For lower extremity problems, wear shorts or pants that can roll up.
Once the evaluation is done, your physical therapist and you will map out appropriate goals. This is where the diagnosis is made and treatment can begin immediately. One of your main goals of treatment is to be able to perform daily activities comfortably. To reach this goal you will need to be compliant with therapy and with your home exercise program. As you proceed the physical therapist will assess and reassess your treatment so that you can fully recover.
Since your physical therapist cannot be with you at all times, you will be taught special exercises that you can perform at home or at work. These exercises you can do by yourself are beneficial because they can speed up recovery and minimize pain. Once they day ends your PT will relay the examination information to your physician and any other health care professionals per your request.
To learn more about what to expect on your first visit and how to prepare before, go to www.balancechicago.com and click on “patient info.”
Citations: http://www.moveforwardpt.com/Resources/Prepare.aspx
Dr. Michele Kehrer PT, DPT, ATC In The News Again!
Posted on 15. Apr, 2010 by admin in In the News, Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
Michele was interviewed by the popular women’s online health resource, EmpowHER, about dizziness and balance disorders and the treatments available for these disorders.
“The treatment offered at my center is especially important now due to the increased number of Americans living longer,” said Dr. Kehrer. “Sixty-five percent of individuals over the age of 60 experience dizziness or loss of balance, the result of generalized functional degradation.”
The treatment offered at LifeStyle’s office is vestibular rehabilitation, which includes the use of high-tech equipment and easy-to-follow exercises. Although medication is often as the main source to treat dizziness, LifeStyle tries to lessen the use of medication to treat dizziness because “…this medication increases risk of falling and can be addictive. It also suppresses vestibular function, essentially worsening the problem that it is prescribed to treat. The medication is fine when prescribed correctly and utilized in conjunction with physical therapy.”
To learn more and to read this fabulous article:
http://bit.ly/98OLAl
(I shortened the URL to the above)
4/17/10: Support Group for Dizzy and Inner Ear Balance Disorders
Posted on 30. Mar, 2010 by admin in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth, Vestibular Support Group
Join us on Saturday, April 17th for our Vestibular Support Group, for individuals with dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. This support group is set up as an open forum to meet other individuals in the community with vestibular disorders. We will also have Physical Therapists certified in vestibular rehabilitation available to answer any questions you may have about vestibular disorders or therapy.
We have a special guest speaker, Timothy Suh, Founder of the Alternative Health Group, who will teach us how Tai Chi benefits individuals with dizziness and balance disorders as well as some basic moves.
If you are affected or have been affected by any of the following, please consider joining us:
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
- Peripheral or central vestibulopathy
- Vestibular migraine
- Meniere’s Disease
- Labrynthitis
- Tinnitus
Friends and family, as well as other support systems, are welcome. As of 4/13 we already have 22 people signed up! We hope to see you on Saturday!
Where: 3130 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, IL (60657).
When: Refreshments will be served at 11:30am. The meeting will begin at 12pm and will last for approximately one hour.
To RSVP, please call: 773-525-5200.
If You Are Dizzy…
Posted on 16. Feb, 2010 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
…Keep moving!
It will be very difficult for dizzy patients to hear that they should keep doing their daily activities when their symptoms flare up. Their first instinct is to become inactive and take rest days. What will help your vestibular system is to rest until your symptoms settle down and then go back to your normal activities.
When you become active, you are training your brain to get used to different incoming signals. This in conjunction with daily vestibular exercises will help with rehabilitation of your vestibular system.
Tai Chi and Balance Disorders
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
A recent study conducted in 2008-2009 showed that the martial art practice Tai Chi is an effective treatment for people with vestibular disorders.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an practice incorporating slow movements of the body into different postures using your own body’s coordination. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Tai Chi is helpful for those with balance disorders because it helps people concentrate on their own coordination.
Muscle Cramps – What are They?
Posted on 10. Jan, 2010 by balancechicago in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
A friend of mine was running the other day and caught a cramp in her leg. We were talking about her leg cramps, which turn out to happen quite often, and she asked me what exactly is a cramp and how she can avoid it in the future. I thought I’d share it with my readers!
When you exercise your muscles contract and then relax in quick succession. A cramp happens when your muscle contracts but does not relax, and becomes hardened. It may be difficult, once you have a cramp, to relax the muscle and pain may result.
Some causes of cramps include:
- Injury to the muscle: Muscles may spasm, and then cramp, around the site of an injury to stabilize the injury site.
- Nocturnal cramps: Small movements during the night of muscles causes shortening of the muscles which lead to cramps – which is why you may wake up in the middle of the night with a Charley Horse!
- Dehydration: Fluid loss during exercise causes the muscles to shorten up and tense up. Cramps in seniors may result from poor fluid intake.
Other causes for cramps can be found on the website provided below, but my friend’s reason was most likely from dehydration. For cramps caused during exercise, it is essential that you do a proper warm up and cool down and make sure you get plenty of fluids before, during and after your workout (also can be found on the website provided below). And make sure you stretch before and after your workout!
February Vestibular Support Group Coming Soon!
Posted on 10. Jan, 2010 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
Just a heads up, the next Vestibular Support Group will be taking place in February. Details will be announced soon!
New Year's Resolution: Maintain Your Sense of Balance
Posted on 31. Dec, 2009 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
New Year’s Resolutions are always easy to state and hard to maintain. Lose weight, exercise every day, be nicer to your mother, the list of possibilities are endless.
One senior in Boston, Gail Hunter, came up with the right resolution in an effort to age gracefully: Exercise to maintain your sense of balance.
And she is completely correct.
Physical therapy can do wonders for dizziness and balance disorders, one of them being BPPV. Gail states some statistics in her article from VEDA that 50% of dizziness in the elderly is caused by BPPV and dizziness and imbalance are symptoms experienced by 40% of adults 40 years or older. If you are one of these individuals, therapy with a PT trained in vestibular rehabilitation can get you feeling like a million bucks! (And don’t be afraid to ask for your PTs credentials.)
Check out Gail’s full article:
Do you have a Balance Disorder? Take this Self-Test
Posted on 13. Dec, 2009 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
Are you concerned that you may have a balance disorder? Take this self-test to determine whether you should go see an ENT or neurologist about a potential balance/neurological disorder.
http://resourcesonbalance.com/patient_info/printout.aspx
If you answer “yes” to one or more of the questions, you could be at risk. Make sure you consult with your physician or an ENT/neurologist.
Vestibular Support Group: Success!
Posted on 17. Nov, 2009 by balancechicago in Vestibular Disorders - In Depth
This past Saturday we held our 4th Vestibular Support Group and what a success it was! Dr. Julia Rahn came and spoke about the psychological challenges of living with a vestibular disorder/chronic illness. Although we had a smaller group than usual, the group was fantastic. While the support group does provide a group speaker, it is a very laid back atmosphere and everyone was free to share their story, their concerns and daily challenges. Although initially we had some timid members, after hearing others share their vestibular story, everyone opened up and even stayed after to swap phone numbers and email addresses.
We hope that you will consider joining us for the next vestibular support group. For more info: info@balancechicago.com