Physical Therapy for Vertigo, Dizziness & Imbalance

strivept.net Strive #1
5988 Stetson Hills Blvd
Colorado Springs, 80922

719-574-3111

Strive #2
3854 Village Seven Rd.
Colorado Springs, 80917

719-574-8761

Strive #3
6005 Delmonico, Suite 130
Colorado Springs, 80919

719-599-7401

Facebook.com/StrivePTCO

Vertigo, Dizziness
& Imbalance HOW PHYSICAL

THERAPY CAN HELP

Vertigo usually is described as a include specialized head and neck
spinning sensation, whereas dizzi- movements or other exercises to help
ness usually is described as “light- eliminate your symptoms.
headedness.” Often, they have differ-
ent causes and different treatments. If you have dizziness and balance
The good news: most dizziness and problems after your vertigo has
balance disorders can be success- stopped, we can develop a treatment
fully treated with physical therapy! plan that targets those problems and
teach you strategies to help cope
WHAT IS VERTIGO? with your symptoms:

Vertigo is the sensation of spin- Do certain activities or chores
ning—even when you’re perfect- around the house cause you to be-
ly still, you might feel like you’re come dizzy?
moving or that the room is moving We can show you how to do those
around you. Most causes of vertigo activities in a different way to help
involve the inner ear (“vestibular reduce the dizziness.
system”).
Have simple activities become dif-
One of the most common forms of ficult and cause fatigue and more
vertigo is benign paroxysmal posi- dizziness?
tional vertigo, an inner-ear problem We can help you work through these
that causes short periods of a spin- symptoms right away so you can get
ning sensation when your head is moving again and return to your
moved in certain positions. roles at home and at work more
Our main focus is to help you get quickly.
moving again and manage the verti-
go at the same time. Treatment may cont. on pg 2

DIZZINESS CONT. from page 1

Physical therapy treatments for diz- The earlier you get treatment, the bet-
ziness can take many forms. The type ter. That’s because your brain and in-
of exercise that your therapist designs ner ears are more likely to be able to
for you will depend on your unique work together during the early stag-
problems and might include: es, so that’s when you have your best
4 Exercises to improve your balance chance for full recovery.
4 Exercises to help the brain
WHAT ARE BALANCE
“correct” differences between PROBLEMS?
your inner ears
4 Exercises to improve your ability Balance problems make it difficult for
to focus your eyes and vision people to maintain stable and upright
positions when standing, walking,
In addition, your physical therapist and even sitting.
might prescribe exercises to improve A person with balance problems may
your strength, your flexibility, and experience tripping, swaying, stum-
your heart health—with the goal bling, dizziness, vertigo, and falling.
of improving your overall physical Although a person’s “static” balance
health and well being. may be fine when standing still or
only performing a single task at a
WHAT ABOUT DIZZINESS? time, “dynamic” balance problems
may become apparent when the per-
Dizziness is a common problem, es- son is moving about or trying to do
pecially among older adults. In fact, more than 1 thing at a time (ie, walking, while turning the
for people over the age of 65, dizzi- head to talk to another person), or when there is not much
ness is one of the most common reasons for physician visits light (at night, or in a darkened room).
and hospitalizations but it can be successfully treated—and
is not an “inevitable” part of aging.

Dizziness gives you a general feeling of unsteadiness, a rock- Balance problems can make a person fearful of perform-
ing sensation as if on a boat, or “lightheadedness.” ing simple daily activities. As a result, they may lose muscle
You may experience: strength and become frail because they avoid strenuous or
• Difficulty walking challenging movements. A person who has balance prob-
• Nausea lems may start to feel frustration about the condition, and
• Anxiety become depressed.
• Feeling tired
• Decreased ability to concentrate Physical therapists can develop individualized physical ac-
• Depression tivity plans to help improve the strength, stability, and mo-
Above all, dizziness can increase the risk for falls, which can bility of people with balance problems. Don’t wait:
be a serious health concern among older adults.
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.

Strive #1 Strive # 2 Strive #3
5988 Stetson Hills Blvd 3854 Village Seven Rd. 6005 Delmonico, Suite 130
Colorado Springs, 80922 Colorado Springs, 80917 Colorado Springs, 80919
719-574-3111 719-574-8761 719-599-7401

It’s all about balance

How often do you experience problems with your balance?
What are you doing when you experience balance problems?
Is your balance worse at nighttime or in dark rooms?
Does the room spin, or do you feel off-balance?
Have you fallen in the past year?
Have you suffered injuries from falling?
Have you changed or limited your daily activities because of your balance problems?
Do you have difficulty with any daily activities?

The good news: PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!

MEET OUR STAFF

Physical Therapist and Physical Therapist Assistant

Eisa Amber
Gemeinhardt Crossman
PT, DPT PTA

Eisa earned her Doctorate of Amber is originally from North-
Physical Therapy from the ern California, but recently
Medical University of South returned to Colorado with her
Carolina. She has worked in family after being stationed in
acute rehab, inpatient, sub- Montana and Southern Califor-
acute rehab, skilled nursing nia with the Air Force.
and home health before mov- Amber received her AAS as a
ing to the outpatient rehab PTA from Arapahoe Community
setting. She has a background College in Littleton. She holds
in general orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics, and pediatrics. a BS of philosophy with double minor in Exercise Science and
Eisa enjoys gait analysis, balance and fall prevention. She Fitness Instruction from UC Santa Barbara where she became a
is an Air Force Military Spouse who enjoys spending time nationally certified athletic trainer. Amber is a licensed massage
exploring Colorado with her husband and Mini Schnauzer, therapist and completed her MS in Exercise Science.
Abby. She enjoys hunting, camping, skiing and travel with her hus-
band and two children.

OUR PATIENTS’ SUCCESS Test Your Balance

“ Balance may be improved with exercises that strengthen
the ankle, knee, and hip muscles and with exercises that
“When I started physical therapy I improve the function of the vestibular (balance) system.
could not squat, it was very difficult A simple assessment of your current balance can be done
to go up and down stairs, I had poor at home. (Do not attempt to do this test alone. Make sure
range of motion in my knee and a that you have someone next to you to decrease the poten-
lot of pain. The team here has done tial risk of falling.)
a great job of working on the knee
as well as teaching me how to care Perform this test standing with a counter surface in front
for it. The level of mobility and ease of you:
of use of the knee has improved ex-
tremely since coming here. There 1. Stand tall, wearing flat, closed shoes, with your arms
has also been a major reduction of
the pain.” — Gary C. folded across your chest. Keep your eyes open,
focus on an object in front of you, raise one leg,
“When I first came to Strive I was in a bending the knee about 45 degrees, and start a
lot of pain in my neck and mid back stopwatch.
area. So much pain I could barely
even sleep. But since I’ve been here 2. Remain on one leg, stopping the watch immediately
I’ve felt the progress and so has my
physician. I can sleep better, I’m able if you:
to do more activities, and I havent felt • uncross your arms,
any pain. If I keep this up I’m gonna • tilt sideways more than 45 degrees,
become a beast!” — Darius D. • move the leg you are standing on, or
• touch the raised leg to the floor.
”
3. Repeat this test with the

other leg.

4. Compare your performance

to typical results for
various ages:

20 to 59 years old

28 - 29 seconds

60 to 69 years old

27 seconds

70 to 79 years old

15 seconds

80 and older

6 seconds

TGoGhfaoemlf e

AND HOW YOUR
#CpAhNysHicEaLlP_.therapist

Spring is the season when many of us head back to
the golf course and discover that their clubs aren’t the
only things that have been gathering dust all winter.

For all its quiet nonchalance, golf is still an athletic activity, and hitting a bucket of balls for the first time in months has a way of re-
minding a golfer about all of the different body parts that are activated in a single swing. Having a repeatable swing is key to having
a good golf game. But with that repetition comes a risk for injury – to backs, elbows, shoulders, and more.

As people age they begin to lose range of motion, flexibilty, and strength of the spine and extremities leading to mechanical limita-
tions in their swing. This in turn causes them to compensate in their swing leading to back pain, neck pain, or hip pain.

Your physical therapist can discuss treatment for injured golfers, review typical golf-related injuries, and offer prevention tips that
can help you strengthen yourself and your game. They can pinpoint:
• restrictions with your swing
• rotation limitations of the mid back
• hip rotation and mobility
• stiffness in your spine
Most often it’s not the golf swing thats faulty, but the limitations in the body that’s forcing the swing to be mechanically less effi-
cient.

Strive #1 Strive # 2 Strive #3
5988 Stetson Hills Blvd 3854 Village Seven Rd. 6005 Delmonico, Suite 130
Colorado Springs, 80922 Colorado Springs, 80917 Colorado Springs, 80919
719-574-3111 719-574-8761 719-599-7401

THREE CSC LOCATIONS:

Strive #1
5988 Stetson Hills Blvd
Colorado Springs, 80922
719-574-3111
Strive # 2
3854 Village Seven Rd.
Colorado Springs, 80917
719-574-8761

Strive #3
6005 Delmonico, Suite 130
Colorado Springs, 80919
719-599-7401

LIKE US on facebook!

strivept.net

SUFFERING FROM Handle dizziness and pain early
VERTIGO, DIZZINESS BEFORE it gets bad!

OR IMBALANCE? We can help you...
GET A
$70 4 Relieve your pain
FREE 4 Increase your strength
VALUE 4 Be more active again
CONSULTATION 4 Restore your flexibility
4 Have more energy

4 Feel healthier

4 Walk and move better

5988 Stetson Hills Blvd 719-574-3111 Call for an appointment.
3854 Village Seven Rd. 719-574-8761 PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!
6005 Delmonico Suite 130, 719-599-7401
We offer 24-48 hour scheduling
strivept.net after your call.