Vertigo, Dizziness, & Balance Deficiencies – what they have in common

By: Terry Abrams 

Oftentimes when a patient is struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or feeling “off-balance”, vestibular rehabilitation with a vertigo Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist can greatly help the patient to alleviate or mostly minimize the symptoms.  Patients have a hard time connecting some of these sensations into the same category, whether it be feeling like they are on a boat, losing their balance if they move their head rapidly or change positions quickly, or feeling like they are about to “pass out”.  Dizziness and vertigo can be similar feelings, with different degrees of spinning, objects appearing to “move around”, or general off-balance sensations that can cause patients to stumble and sometimes even fall down.

Losing balance and risk of falling is a huge problem with the elderly that can lead to hospitalization, severe injuries, and even death in head trauma cases.  Strategies for falling should always be implemented, as well as techniques for getting up off the ground after falls, which unfortunately needs to be addressed before seniors get into a situation that is tricky to get out of.  For balance and vertigo issues that are caused by “central” problems, these conditions are more difficult to treat because they are caused by disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord.

Diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA or Stroke), Brain lesions (white matter), and many more can cause these types of central vertigo and balance conditions that are treatable, but not necessarily 100% curable. Other Central Vertigo diagnoses would be Brain Tumors, Hydrocephalus, and many other conditions.

If the patient’s issues are not caused by central problems, then it’s likely that the vertigo or dizziness is caused by peripheral disorders. Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Weaknesses, and BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) are all peripheral vertigo diagnoses. Peripheral Vestibular disorders can be treated very successfully and fully using Vertigo PT, which means the same thing as Vestibular Rehabilitation (or rehab), since the issue is in the inner ear.  Chronic conditions like Meniere’s Disease may have intermittent success, but may be recurrent in the future due to the chronic nature of the condition. But BPPV conditions are completely treatable, and can be often eradicated in under a week, which is a tremendous relief to a patient.

Balance disorders can take longer to get rid of, or to minimize, because of the multiple systems that can be involved in such deficits.  Patients have to be prepared to work very hard in Vertigo PT to help to improve their balance. Dizziness is really just related to Vertigo, or a symptom of Vertigo. And feeling off-balance is connected to vertigo, proprioception, central conditions, or orthopedic issues as well.  Improper foot-ware, decreased sensation in the feet or legs, arthritis in leg joints, and may other orthopedic deficiencies can cause balance disorders that should be treated, before a patient’s balance continues to decline.

If a patient isn’t sure what to do to treat their problem, it’s always best to start with a visit to a Dr. and start with a diagnosis to get the condition properly classified. Then after the visit to the Dr., the patient can then come to Physical Therapy for Vertigo PT, so that the problem can be eliminated or improved.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Importance of Physical Therapy in Cancer Recovery

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/importance-of-physical-therapy-in-cancer-recovery/

By: Terry Abrams

Cancer rehabilitation is a growing area in medicine due to the increase in cancer survivorship. More and more individuals are beating cancer because of advances in medical technology, treatment and early detection. According to recent research from the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of all cancers that were diagnosed between 2003 and 2009 is 68 percent. This is a 20 percent increase from 1975 to 1977. It is also estimated that over 13 million Americans have a history of cancer, and in 2014 there were an expected 1.6 million new cases. This means that the number of cancer survivors will continue to increase in the U.S. With more cancer survivors, there will need to be more recovery strategies.

Cancer treatment is a grueling course, leaving many people exhausted, weak and with a compromised immune system. Just getting out of bed can be a huge and daunting task, let alone exercising in a gymnasium or playing at the park with grandchildren. This is where a physical therapist comes in. Despite advances in medical treatments, individuals that receive cancer treatments typically experience extensive physical limitations during and after treatments. These limitations include and are not limited to cancer-related fatigue (CRF), pain, nerve damage, lymphedema, deconditioning, as well as incontinence.

There is strong evidence to support conservative management of these impairments through physical therapy. As each individual experiences different impairments during and after cancer treatment, it is important to have an individualized evaluation to focus your rehabilitation. Physical therapy can address common cancer related impairments including:

Lymphedema: Effective lymphedema management is accomplished through manual lymph drainage, range of motion exercises, aerobic exercise, and lymphatic bandaging.

CRF: Individualized aerobic training, strength training and functional management training is known to reduce effects of cancer related fatigue both during and after medical cancer treatments.

Pain: There are many pain relief strategies that can reduce the intensity and frequency of pain after cancer treatment. Specifically, treatment strategies including soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic massage, modalities, therapeutic stretching and strengthening.

Peripheral neuropathy: Often times, cancer survivors experience peripheral neuropathy, which is abnormal nerve function that can be experienced as pain, numbness and tingling. Physical therapy can help to improve nerve function or compensate for nerve dysfunction.

Deconditioning: Rebuilding endurance for activities and cardiovascular function can be difficult during and after cancer treatment. A skilled physical therapist is able to educate and monitor cardiovascular endurance training.

Genitourinary complications: For men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and women undergoing treatment for bladder or ovarian cancer, incontinence and sexual dysfunction are common. A skilled physical therapist can help to rebuild the strength of the pelvic floor in order to improve urinary continence and reduce pain related to sexual function.

In a recent study published April 2015 in Physical Therapy Journal, researchers found that physical therapy services are more commonly sought out for individuals surviving breast and genitourinary cancers. Researchers sought to find the characteristics of patients with cancer that were referred for outpatient physical therapy and common clinical findings. Over the course of two years, data from 418 patients were analyzed. Genitourinary and breast cancers were the most common types of cancer in their sample. The most common impairments were strength loss and soft tissue dysfunction. Lymphedema was the most common issue for people with breast cancer and incontinence was the most common complaint for people that had genitourinary cancers. They also noted that pain and high fatigue levels were prevalent in individuals that had undergone radiation therapy. This study shows that therapy services are being utilized for individuals that have survived cancer, particularly breast and genitourinary cancer. However, this study also suggests that a large portion of cancer survivors are not seeking out rehabilitation services, even though they would likely find it highly beneficial.

According to the European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, most-mastectomy physical therapy ‘widely improves’ a patient’s quality of life. After mastectomy surgery, patients may experience tightness around the surgical site caused by scar tissue formation. The result can be very dense tissue under the incision, which is painful and can restrict range of motion. The restricted range of motion puts women at risk for a painful condition known as Frozen Shoulder. Early treatment by a physical therapist can help reduce the pain and help regain functional range of motion and strength.

The good news is that it is never too late to utilize rehabilitation services for cancer recovery. If you find that you are having trouble accomplishing daily tasks or functioning at your prior level of independence, seek out a rehabilitation expert and regain your vitality.

Article credits to CUREToday.com and Susan G. Komen.

For more info visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com

Join CardioFlex Therapists at Relay For Life

http://www.cardioflextherapy.com/blog/join-cardioflex-therapists-at-relay-for-life/

Cancer rehabilitation is a growing area in medicine due to the increase in cancer survivorship. More and more individuals are beating cancer because of advances in medical technology, treatment and early detection. The number of cancer survivors will continue to increase in the U.S. and there will need to be more recovery strategies. When someone is undergoing cancer treatment, physical therapy may not be the first healthcare field that comes to mind. Early cancer treatment is met with oncologists, radiologists, nurses and surgeons. Rightly so, as these healthcare practicioners are essential to the treatment and management of cancer. However, don’t forget that the role of physical therapy in cancer recovery is extremely important. Physical therapist practice for persons affected by cancer and chronic illness helps by maximizing movement and wellness across the lifespan.

For this and many other reasons CardioFlex Physical Therapists in Davie are supporting Relay For Life, the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, in which volunteers give their time and effort because they believe it’s time to take action against cancer. Join us at this upcoming event to bring communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society make a global impact on cancer. Physical therapy is key in cancer rehabilitation.

This event will take place on September 21st. at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. We kick off the event by honoring everyone who’s been affected by cancer and everyone who has contributed to the success of this year’s Relay season. Later a Luminaria Ceremony, representing everyone touched by cancer with a Luminaria: each light represents a life—a life taken by cancer, a survivor of cancer, or a support for a person still fighting the disease. It’s a powerful demonstration that gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers comfort and hope. Lastly, the closing ceremony, the time to commit to take action and help lead the fight for a world free from cancer. It’s a time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished together and a time to unify for the work that needs to be done moving forward.

September 21st. 6pm – 12am

Quiet Waters Park
401 S Powerline Rd
Deerfield Beach, FL

EVENT CONTACT
Jordan Boudlal
jordan.boudlal@cancer.org
(954) 200-7522

Every Boob Counts 5K Walk/Run

CardioFlex is proud to support the 6th Annual Every Boob Counts 5K Walk/ Run benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation. This event takes place on Saturday October 28, 2017 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, FL. Every Boob Counts 5K Run/Walk promises to be a fun, spirited event. Run or walk on this certified course around beautiful Lake Osborne in honor or memory of someone who has been impacted by breast cancer. Proceeds to benefit Susan G. Komen, South Florida and other community outreach programs  to increase breast cancer awareness, promote the importance of early detection and provide support and resources to those in our local community. Lots of race day festivities for the entire family to enjoy.

In more than 2,200 communities across the U.S., more than 75,000 Komen volunteers and staff work to help fund breast cancer screening, diagnosis, patient navigation, treatment and education programs for those who need it most. Working in concert with our Affiliates, who carry out Komen’s mission in their communities, and other local organizations, we awarded more than $43 million in needs-based community grants in FY16. That’s in addition to the many millions we invest each year in promising research.

Where: John Prince Park, 4759 South Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL

When: Saturday, October 28, 2017

Time: 7:30 AM

Contact:  Stacey Mullins, (561)302-9609

Physical therapists can make a unique contribution to helping cancer patients achieve health and a good quality of life. CardioFlex Physical Therapists’ skills can help in preventing and treating the four main non-communicable diseases in the world, as identified by the United Nations: cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and cancer. Specifically in breast cancer, physical therapists help patients who have undergone mastectomy and a wide range of procedures to help them get back to their best. Also visit our Services section for detailed info on how we can help you.

For more info, visit: www.cardioflextherapy.com and our BLOG