·         Does the room spin around you?

·         When you change positions do you feel dizzy?

·         Have you fallen in the past year?

·         Are you afraid you might fall?

If you or someone you know can answer YES to even one of these questions, you may be suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a disorder of the vestibular system which affects the alignment of the calcium crystals in the inner ear. You can read more about the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department at McLean's "Steady on Your Feet"  program that addresses BPPV in the article below. 

Why live with the effects of vertigo if you don't have to? As recently as January of 2011, Medicare now covers Physical Therapy for Canalith Repositioning, one of the most effective treatments for BPPV. Most other insurances cover this as well. For further information or to schedule an appointment please call (860) 658-3745. 

UPCOMING EVENT

In-Service Presented by Jean Miles, DPT

McLean Congratulates to Jean Miles, DPT!
Jean received her doctorate in Physical Therapy in December. Her capstone project was on dementia.  

Thursday, April 7th

 12:30 - 1:30 PM

Event will take place in the Hartford Room in the Burkholder.

The presentation will emphasize the vital role physical therapists can play in screening for dementia and techniques for successful implementation of therapy programs in the presence of cognitive deficits. Jean focuses her physical therapy work with

McLean Home Care. 

If you are a Physical Therapist and would like to be a guest at the in-service, please call McLean Rehab at 860-658-3783 or email susan.berg@mcleancare.org.

Jessie Kingston - Steady on Your Feet Success Story

That is what Jessie Kingston says in the new McLean Steady on Your Feet TV show to be aired shortly on Simsbury Community TV. Jessie actually was seeing McLean Physical Therapist, Dorothy Villano for her hip, and Dorothy immediately noted Jessie's vertigo when she examined her.  Jessie related that she had been experiencing dizziness whenever she changed her position and had stopped doing many of things that she enjoyed doing.

The next day Jessie saw Eric Tharaldson, PT, who specializes in Vestibular Rehab in the McLean Outpatient Center. First, Eric conducted the assessment including the use of the infrared goggles to confirm her condition. In the same appointment he then gave her one treatment with gentle manipulations, and she was well on her way back to her active lifestyle. Eric stresses that the therapy is not the old fashioned kind that people may have heard about that sometimes used violent movements of one's head. This is gentle turning of the head realigning the crystals that may form in the inner ear.

Jessie admits it was the holidays, and she didn't follow the post treatment directions so she came back once more for a little more treatment, which got rid of all the symptoms of dizziness which had previously limited her participation in many activities.  And now, she is not only back to her usual activities, but she is also very busy with her new volunteer commitment as a McLean Hospice volunteer.

Visit SimsburyTV.org to learn more about the Vestibular Program and other balance treatments that can keep people safe and active at any age. 

STEADY ON YOUR FEET

Eric Tharaldson,  Physical Therapist  McLean Outpatient Center

Do you or someone you know suffer from dizziness, loss of balance or unsteadiness, sensitivity to head movements or falls? If so, you may be suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a disorder of the vestibular system which affects the alignment of the calcium crystals in the inner ear. These crystals can be dislodged due to an injury to the head, aging, infection or viruses, long term use or high doses of certain antibiotics, whiplash or other causes. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90 million people experience dizziness or a balance problem. 85% of those problems are a result of pathology within the inner ear. Balance related falls account for more than half of the accidental falls in the elderly population. 

As recently as January of 2011, Medicare now covers Physical Therapy for Canalith Repositioning, one of the most effective treatments for BPPV. The Outpatient Physical Therapy Department at McLean has "Steady on Your Feet," a specific program that can help you. 

Our team of specially trained therapists can evaluate and establish a treatment program that can eliminate or decrease the effects of BPPV within 2 or 3 treatment sessions. McLean Outpatient Physical Therapists are trained in Canalith Repositioning and will perform a comprehensive evaluation including a balance and gait assessment, vestibular system assessment and establishment of a customized treatment and exercise program.  Program benefits include decreased dizziness, improved balance and coordination, and increased ability to perform activities of daily living.

Why live with the effects of vertigo if you don't have to? For further information or to schedule an appointment please call (860) 658-3745. 

NEW OUTPATIENT ADMISSION POLICY

 

We make every effort to offer each new patient an appointment for therapy at the McLean Outpatient Center in Simsbury within 24 hours of a referral. Call 860-658-3745.