While the occasional dizzy spell may come and go, persistent dizziness and vestibular issues will negatively impact one’s quality of life, interfering with daily life activities, placing a strain on mental health and increasing one’s fall risk. To address these concerns and increase access to specialized care for these conditions, Powers Health opened its Community Hospital Dizzy & Balance Therapy Services at its current location in St. John in January 2024.
“The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and detects head movements through fluid-filled loops and crystals that touch or pull on the hair cells,” said Veronica Cohen, supervisor of Dizzy & Balance Therapy Services. “Via that input, the brain sends that information to our organs, like our eyes, our joints, and our muscles, to allow us to keep our balance and know what position our body is in. If these crystals get displaced, you may experience dizziness and balance issues.”
The multidisciplinary Dizzy & Balance Therapy Services team works hand-in-hand with audiology and concussion specialists to treat the delicate structures and provide symptom relief.
“Our audiologists are integral in diagnosing these patients,” Cohen said. “They not only extensively test patient hearing, but also provide specialized testing of the vestibular system itself. This is supported by imaging services, or other tests that may be needed, to help to ensure a proper diagnosis. We work together as a team to get a clear diagnosis of the patient's problems in order to provide the most appropriate treatment.”
As the vestibular system works in coordination with the brain, neurologic disorders such as migraine, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and some cancers often also cause dizziness and balance disorders.
If frequent dizziness and poor balance symptoms are a concern, Cohen encourages patients to seek help right away, as customized treatment plans get patients on the road to a better quality of life.
“Dizzy & Balance Therapy Services treats our patients one-on-one, so each patient is evaluated thoroughly, including specific testing to make the cause of their dizziness and balance problems clear,” Cohen said. “We work with the patients’ goals to develop a cohesive plan of care that will treat the symptoms based on the latest research and standards of practice in our fields. We recognize that every patient is an individual with unique needs and goals.”
If you would like to learn more about dizziness and balance problems, Powers Health invites you to attend the upcoming Dizziness and Vestibular Issues presentation on Tuesday, November 12 from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at Community Hospital Outpatient Center 9660 Wicker Ave., St. John.
For more information about Powers Health's services, visit powershealth.org.
