Vestibular Rehabilitation

Vestibular disorders can cause dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, problems with hearing, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, concentration, and other symptoms. These symptoms can deeply affect a person's day-to-day functioning, ability to work, social relationships, and quality of life. 

If you have experienced these symptoms, a trained physical therapist can help determine the cause and treat your problems.  Using infrared goggles, the physical therapist is able to watch your eye for movement to determine if you have a disorder, such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).  BPPV is one of the most common causes for dizziness and vertigo.   Other common causes for vertigo include: Meniere’s Disease, Hydrops, Perilymphatic Fistula, medications, age related changes to the central nervous system and cervicogenic (coming from the neck).

Tim Gibbs, PT, OCS, cert. MDT, CCTT has taken extensive training in the specialty of vestibular rehabilitation.  He passed the American Physical Therapy Association’s competency course in Vestibular Rehabilitation at Emory University and is attending the Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation competency course in August at Duke University.  He has focused a large percentage of his practice in this field and finds it very rewarding. 

If you have any of the above symptoms, you may want to contact your primary care physician to get a referral to our clinic.

What to Expect?

We ask that you refrain from eating several hours prior to your first appointment. Some of the procedures may provoke your dizziness and nausea and you will feel better with an empty stomach. On your first visit, you will be asked a detailed history of your symptoms. We will then perform some basic screening exams to rule out any issues beyond our scope of practice. You will be taken through a series of positions to determine the best treatment for you. The evaluation and treatment are performed concurrently.

You should have someone available to drive you home in case your symptoms have not completely resolved. Your plan of care will be determined based on the findings of your evaluation. The treatment may be quick, with only 1-2 visits, or may require more visits to address your balance or more complex problems.

Comprehensive Spinal Care

Our physical therapists are highly skilled to evaluate spinal pain to help determine the best method for treatment. The physical therapists often include the McKenzie Method for Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment to help restore you to your normal function. We are able to work with you to help stabilize your back pain and dysfunction so that you can return to your every day life, including work, family, and sports hobbies. We have developed a dynamic exercise program that fosters good back health and improves your overall strength and flexibility.

TMJ Dysfunction and Headache Care

Tim Gibbs, PT, OCS, Cert MDT, CCTT has been treating people with TMJ problems and headaches for the past 23 years. He has had extensive training in this area and recently became a Certified Cervical and Temporomandibular Therapist (CCTT) through the Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial and Cervical Therapeutics. He is an associate member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He works closely with area dentists to help patients recover from TMJ dysfunction. Our other therapists are mentoring under Tim to help more people with these problems. Tim Gibbs and Brian Miller are Orthopedic Certified Specialists (OCS) and treat headaches that are associated with neck and jaw pain.

Orthopedic Injuries

Our physical therapists have extensive training and experience working with orthopedic injuries. Brian Miller and Tim Gibbs are Orthopedic Certified Specialists (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties. This recognizes the physical therapist as an advanced practitioner in orthopedics. All of our therapists are capable of helping you to recover from sprains and strains, orthopedic surgeries, and recreational sport injuries.

Neurological Rehabilitation

Our physical therapists enjoy working with people with a wide variety of neurological problems that affect mobility, balance and coordination. Lynnell Finley, PT has a focus of helping people with Multiple Sclerosis by establishing appropriate exercise programs and educating them on how to manage their symptoms. Tracie Schroeder, PT, DPT, ATC has developed a program for people with Parkinson’s disease to manage their symptoms of difficulty walking, difficulty initiating movements and balance concerns.

Fall Risk Reduction Program

Our comprehensive fall risk reduction program helps people with balance issues improve their mobility and decrease their risk for falling. This is important to people with a history of falls as they are at risk for complications including fracturing bones, head injuries, and the inability to live alone.

Chronic Pain Management

Our physical therapists work as a multidisciplinary team to help people with chronic pain manage their symptoms and live full and productive lives. We evaluate each individual patient and set achievable goals to help control symptoms through a self-managed program of stretches and exercises.

On the Job Injuries

Our physical therapists often treat people who have been injured on the job. We work with you to set attainable goals for returning to your full job capacity when appropriate. We try to keep close communication with your claim adjuster to ensure you receive the best care to get the best outcomes.

Foot and Ankle Specialty/Orthotics

Brian Miller, PT, MS, OCS has a strong interest in treating foot and ankle dysfunctions, such as Achilles tendonitis, fallen arches, ankle instability and chronic sprains. Brian also leads a Running Clinic to help people improve their running technique while decreasing the risk for injuries. Our physical therapists can evaluate your feet to determine the appropriateness for orthotics. We work together with Marvin Walchuk, C.Ped at Montana Pedorthics to create orthotics to best suit your feet.

Pediatrics/Children

Our therapists enjoy working with young and old children with neurological disorders, sports injuries and congenital problems. We work with high school athletes to help them successfully return to sports after injuries.

The Aging Athlete

Being an aging athlete himself, Brian Miller, PT, MS, OCS has a special interest in keeping you competing at the highest level possible in sports such as paddling, biking, and running. He teaches a Running Clinic to help you develop the most efficient form that not only makes you faster, but reduces the risk of injuries. Contact him for more information on his next clinic, or schedule a visit for him to analyze your form and help you manage injuries you may have sustained from problems related to form.