Established in 2014, the Dizziness, Balance & Neuro Rehabilitation Clinic of Community Healthcare System offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment by physical and occupational therapists, speech pathologists and audiologists for a wide variety of diagnoses which produce symptoms of dizziness and imbalance. The clinic has state-of-the art diagnostic and rehabilitative equipment and provides individualized treatment for patients.
“Our therapists have advanced training in vestibular therapy, and audiologists are on-site to perform hearing tests and inner ear tests that evaluate and diagnose vestibular dysfunction,” said OT/PT Supervisor Lisa Sheehan.
Therapists at the clinic treat conditions such as dizziness, vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), concussion, vestibular migraine, post-concussion neck/back pain, labyrinthitis and neuritis, Meniere’s disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. Vertigo and dizziness are some of the most common reasons patient seek medical attention, with research showing that the two account for 4 percent of total consultations that take place in the Emergency Department (ED) and 20 percent of neurological consultations in the ED.
“These symptoms result in time lost from work, difficulty with gait and functional activities and a higher risk of falling,” Sheehan said. “We provide patients with a thorough evaluation including a review of their medical history, a thorough physical examination, tests of inner ear function, balance testing and vision tests to formulate a comprehensive individualized treatment program based on a person’s deficits as well as their personal goals for recovery.”
As a clinic specializing in the evaluation and treatment of dizziness and imbalance, healthcare professionals at the Dizzy Clinic are better able to diagnose dysfunction accurately and quickly and then implement an effective treatment program to remediate deficits and return patients to normal function.
“Our patients are the focus, and we want to see them recover and succeed,” Sheehan said. “So many patients see multiple clinicians without an accurate diagnosis. We get to the cause of the symptoms quicker, so patients can recover sooner.”
This patient-centered approach to recovery stood out to former patient Susan Colias, and contributed to her smooth treatment and healing process.
“I was very pleased that I not only received my physical therapy on-site, but specific testing to determine the exact type of therapy I needed as well,” Colias said. “We were able to test and discuss immediately, and I was able to have my personal therapists perform all tests, which I’m sure led to better outcome results.”
Clinic staff works in close association with Community Healthcare System’s Concussion Clinic assisting in the evaluation and treatment of patients who sustained concussions from motor vehicle accidents (MVA), falls, work-related injuries and sports-related injuries.
“We have friendly front desk staff to assist with scheduling and insurance verification, and provide one-on-one treatment sessions with highly trained therapists,” Sheehan said. “We do specialized testing to provide individualized treatment plans, and work as a team with physicians such as physiatrists, neurologists and ENTs to deliver the best care.”
The clinic has continued to provide high quality care even through the challenges of COVID-19, implementing a number of safety measures including temperature check screenings at every visit, thorough cleaning regimens in place before and after every patient and requiring masks inside the facility.
“The safety of our patients and staff are our number one priority, and we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure safety is taken care of,” Sheehan said. “For those patients who feel safer staying at home or are unable to come to the clinic, we also offer telehealth visits with a therapist.”
This continuum of care in challenging times makes all the difference for people like Colias.
“To get the help I needed all at one location was so convenient, especially during the pandemic, and I know this led to a quicker healing process for me,” Colias said. “I was very pleased also with my entire experience at the clinic, from the front desk, where staff greets you warmly and takes care of your needs, to the excellent job performed by the therapists. I highly recommend this clinic!”
More information can be found on the COMHS.org website under rehabilitation services. Anyone interested in services or treatment may call the clinic directly at 219-836-5381 and arrange to speak with a therapist for more information.
