Physical Therapy for Vertigo, Dizziness, & Imbalance

Littleton, CO 80120

TWO LOCATIONS:

8 West Dry Creek Circle, Ste. 130
Littleton, CO 80120

303-955-8163

296 W. Hampden Ave.
Englewood, CO 80110

720-583-6425
ptoftherockies.com

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
different causes and different treat- If you have dizziness and balance
ments. The good news: most dizzi- problems after your vertigo has
ness and balance disorders can be stopped, we can develop a treatment
successfully treated with physical plan that targets those problems and
therapy! teach you strategies to help cope
with your symptoms:
WHAT IS VERTIGO?
Do certain activities or chores
Vertigo is the sensation of spin- around the house cause you to be-
ning—even when you’re perfect- come dizzy?
ly still, you might feel like you’re We can show you how to do those
moving or that the room is moving activities in a different way to help
around you. Most causes of vertigo reduce the dizziness.
involve the inner ear (“vestibular
system”). Have simple activities become dif-
ficult and cause fatigue and more
One of the most common forms of dizziness?
vertigo is benign paroxysmal posi- We can help you work through
tional vertigo, an inner-ear problem these symptoms right away so you
that causes short periods of a spin- can get moving again and return
ning sensation when your head is to your roles at home and at work
moved in certain positions. more quickly.
Our main focus is to help you get
moving again and manage the verti- cont. on pg 2
go at the same time. Treatment may

DIZZINESS, CONT. from page 1

Physical therapy treatments for diz- The earlier you get treatment, the
ziness can take many forms. The better. That’s because your brain
type of exercise that your therapist and inner ears are more likely to
designs for you will depend on your be able to work together during
unique problems and might include: the early stages, so that’s when you
4 Exercises to improve your balance have your best chance for full re-
4 Exercises to help the brain covery.

“correct” differences between WHAT ARE BALANCE
your inner ears PROBLEMS?
4 Exercises to improve your ability
to focus your eyes and vision Balance problems make it difficult
for people to maintain stable and
In addition, your physical thera- upright positions when standing,
pist might prescribe exercises to walking, and even sitting.
improve your strength, your flexi- A person with balance problems
bility, and your heart health—with may experience tripping, swaying,
the goal of improving your overall stumbling, dizziness, vertigo, and
physical health and well being. falling. Although a person’s “static”
balance may be fine when standing
WHAT ABOUT still or only performing a single
DIZZINESS? task at a time, “dynamic” balance
problems may become apparent
Dizziness is a common problem, es- when the person is moving about
pecially among older adults. In fact, or trying to do more than 1 thing
for people over the age of 65, dizzi- at a time (ie, walking, while turning the head to talk to an-
ness is one of the most common reasons for physician visits other person), or when there is not much light (at night, or
and hospitalizations but it can be successfully treated—and in a darkened room).
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.
• Fe8eWlinesgt DtryirCeredek Circle, Suite 130
• DecreaLsitetledtona,bCiOli8t0y12t0o 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.

LITTLETON ptoftherockies.com ENGLEWOOD
303-955-8163 720-583-6425

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

Kyle Riley PT, DPT

Kyle was born in Winchester, MA but grew up in Longmont, CO. He graduated with Sport and Exercise
science degree from the University of Northern Colorado and earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy
degree from the University of the Pacific, Stockton CA. He carries special interests in sports medicine,
kinesiology, anatomy, and strength and conditioning saying, “The human body is one big kinetic chain.
130eFxinerdciinsgesairseawshoaft weakness within that kinetic chain and rehabilitating patients through a combination of
8 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite fires me up.”
Littleton, CO 80120

Kyle has played ice hockey since the age of eight and played three seasons of Junior A hockey in northern
Wyoming, Minnesota, and Vancouver, British Columbia. He also played all five seasons at UNC – GO
BEARS!!! He enjoys strength and conditioning, hiking, golf, tennis, Crossfit, and Boston sports (Go Pats).

LITTLETON ptoftherockies.com ENGLEWOOD
303-955-8163 720-583-6425

OUR PATIENTS’ SUCCESS Test Your Balance

“ Balance may be improved with exercises that strengthen
the ankle, knee, and hip muscles and with exercises that
“PT of the Rockies has improve the function of the vestibular (balance) system.
been instrumental in A simple assessment of your current balance can be done
my progress/recovery at home. (Do not attempt to do this test alone. Make sure
and each therapist with that you have someone next to you to decrease the poten-
whom I’ve dealt has tial risk of falling.)
been friendly, extremely
knowledgeable and Perform this test standing with a counter surface in front
professional. I very much of you:
look forward to each
session as they guide me, 1. Stand tall, wearing flat, closed shoes, with your arms
challenge me, educate me
and even encourage me folded across your chest. Keep your eyes open,
focus on an object in front of you, raise one leg,
when needed. bending the knee about 45 degrees, and start a
I know I would not have stopwatch.
advanced and recovered
to this level without their 2. Remain on one leg, stopping the watch immediately

wonderful help!” if you:
• uncross your arms,
— Gary W. • tilt sideways more than 45 degrees,
• 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

TGoGhfoaemlf e

AND HOW YOUR
C#pAhNysHicEaLlP_.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 h8eWlpestyDoryuCsreterkeCnigrctleh, eSunitey1o3u0rself and your game. They can pinpoint:
• restrictioLitntlestown,iCthO 8y0o1u20r 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 efficient.

LITTLETON ptoftherockies.com ENGLEWOOD
303-955-8163 720-583-6425

8 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 130
Littleton, CO 80120

296 W. Hampden Ave.
Englewood, CO 80110

ptoftherockies.com

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

303-955-8163 Call for an appointment.
PHYSICAL THERAPY CAN HELP!
8 West Dry Creek Circle, Suite 130 • Littleton
We offer 24-48 hour scheduling
720-583-6425 after your call.

296 W. Hampden Ave. • Englewood