(631) 474-6797www.stcharlesrehab.org

www.stcharlesrehab.org

Catholic Health ServicesCatholic Health Services

St. Charles Outpatient Vestibular

Rehabilitation Program

O u t p a t i e n t R e h a b i l i t a t i O nSt. Charles Outpatient Vestibular Rehabilitation Program

200 Belle Terre RoadPort Jefferson, NY 11777

(631) 474-6111

240 Middle Country RoadSmithtown, NY 11787

(631) 382-4550

Program available in both locations Monday through Friday

For your convenience, early morning and evening appointments are available

Meet our Vestibular SpecialistKim Pena, PT, DPT, Coordinator of Vestibular Rehabilitation received her doctorate in Physical Therapy from N.Y. Institute of Technology in 2004 and has taken continuing education courses with emphasis on vestibular rehabilitation and balance and fall prevention. She received her competency certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation in December 2006.

Concussion Management Program at St. Charles Hospital

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is a critical component in the treatment of concussion. St. Charles incorporates vestibular rehabilitation therapy in the outpatient Concussion Management Program. A full continuum of care, from injury through recovery and eventually a safe return to sports, is provided for children and adolescents. More than 50 professionals, including physicians, neuropsychologists and physical therapists specializing in brain injury rehabilitation, work as a team to provide comprehensive services to guide athletes through the recovery process and back to the playing field.

Why St. Charles for Vestibular Physical Therapy?St. Charles Outpatient Rehabilitation Network offers state-of-the-art facilities. The focus of rehabilitation at St. Charles is always the patient and providing him/her with the therapy needed to reach their maximum potential.

Our Vestibular Rehabilitation Program includes:

• Frenzel goggles to evaluate for vestibular dysfunction

• Biodex Balance System which can be used in the assessment and treatment of balance deficits related to vestibular disorders, concussion, orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, and aging.

• Functional canalith repositioning treatment (CRT) for BPPV

• Postural screening and re-education

• Individualized treatment plan and home exercise program

• Balance Therapy

• Manual Therapy

Conditions We Treat• Benign paroxysmal positional

vertigo (BPPV)

• Labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis

• Meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma

• Perilymph fistula, inner ear concussion syndrome

• Traumatic brain injury CVA/stroke

• Post-concussion syndrome

Goals of Vestibular Rehabilitation (VRT)By improving vestibular function and promoting mechanisms of central adaptation and compensation, VRT aims to do the following:

• Improve balance

• Minimize falls

• Decrease subjective sensations of dizziness

• Improve stability during ambulation

• Reduce over dependency on visual and somatosensory inputs

• Improve neuromuscular coordination

• Decrease anxiety and somatization due to vestibular disorientation

Vestibular Rehabilitation TherapyBased on the type of vestibular pathology diagnosed, specific exercises are chosen to decrease or eliminate symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and/or disequilibrium (loss of balance or stability).

Interventions are designed to improve overall functional ability, postural stability and gaze stabilization.

Performing the prescribed exercises may cause a temporary increase in symptoms.

Interventions are most often effective when they are performed in the presence of symptoms.

Repetition of these exercises are helpful and a necessary part of the plan of care.

Components of a complete vestibular rehabilitation program include: Gaze stabilization exercises and, when necessary, repositioning maneuvers or habituation exercises, and balance activities.

Re-positioning ManeuversFor patients with distorted vestibular function, re-positioning maneuvers are used to dislodge and relocate debris within one of the semi-circular canals of the ear when patients present with distorted vestibular function.

These interventions help manage position or motion-induced vertigo which is the result of a peripheral vestibular disorder, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).