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How Vestibular Rehab Can Help Those Struggling with Dizziness, Balance Problems and Motion Intolerance

March 04, 2019

Vestibular rehabilitation is a complex discipline. Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network has a team of highly skilled vestibular therapists located throughout the state to meet the needs of patients experiencing various disorders including vertigo (true spinning sensation), dizziness (feeling off), balance problems, nausea and motion intolerance.  According to the National Institutes of Health more than 85% of dizziness and balance problems are due to problems with the inner ear (vestibular system) and can have a serious effect on all facets of daily life for those affected.

Rob Durbois, the Vestibular Program Coordinator for Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, explained that patients who are experiencing these problems receive a complete evaluation from their vestibular therapist in order to assess the cause of the symptoms and determine how they are affecting the patient’s overall balance, movements and function. Upon completion of the evaluation, the therapist creates an individualized care plan designed to help them manage their specific problems.

“For vestibular therapists frequent exposure to patients with vestibular problems results in higher competency and better outcomes for our patients,” Durbois said.  “We meet as a multidisciplinary team regularly to stay up to date on the most current diagnosis and treatment strategies to help our dizzy patients.”

Durbois said that what helps makes his vestibular program unique is the extensive collaborations it has with the larger Hartford HealthCare system, including a strong relationship with Dr. Marc Eisen of Ear Specialty Group of Connecticut.

“We have mentoring relationships among therapists, continuing education, and system support that allows for real time collaborative interaction between therapists at different locations,” he said. “We also have a dynamic and cooperative relationship with Dr. Eisen, who is a highly specialized surgeon with a particular expertise in helping patients with ear problems including dizziness. This relationship allows our therapists to observe and participate in state of the art diagnostics for up to two full days per year. This helps us increase our exposure to patients with complex dizzy problems, deepens our knowledge and helps us to achieve and maintain a high level of expertise in this field.”

For more information about Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network’s Vestibular program please visit www.HHCRehabNetwork.org