Patient Forms
Please fill out the following forms and bring them with you to your initial visit.
| Patient Registration | Consent for Care and Treatment | ||
| Medical History | HIPAA Privacy Policy | ||
| ABC Form (Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale) |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is vestibular rehabilitation?Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise approach to remedy balance and dizziness problems. A common approach to managing this is medication; however, many of the medicines used for inner-ear disorders can be habit-forming and have sedating side effects that frequently limit the patient’s ability to perform useful activities. Vestibular rehabilitation is an effective, alternative form of treatment involving specific exercises designed to 1) decrease dizziness, 2) increase balance function, and 3) increase general activity levels. Patients are asked to exercise daily at home and to visit the physical therapist during an initial period of four to six weeks. |
What can be done about vestibular disorders?The treatment or cure for a vestibular disorder depends on the cause. An episode of severe vertigo (dizziness) may be treated with medications. However, long-term medication usage is discouraged. If the inner ear has been damaged as a result of head trauma, physical therapy and exercise may be effective. With some vestibular disorders, symptoms occur when there is an imbalance in body fluid levels—such as from dehydration or from eating too much salt or sugar. In these cases, symptoms may be managed by drinking sufficient fluids to replace those lost during exercise or hot weather and by carefully controlling the amounts of salt and sugar in the diet. And, some vestibular disorders may be treated surgically. |
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What are the symptoms of vestibular disorders?The most noticeable symptoms of vestibular disorders are dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and unsteadiness or imbalance when walking. Many symptoms are more obscure, including visual problems (e.g., objects seem to move, reading is difficult, glare increases). Hearing may fluctuate. Ear noises (tinnitus), such as buzzing, popping, or clicking sounds, may occur. Loud noises may cause discomfort. Memory may be impaired and forgetfulness may become a problem. Fatigue is common. Depending on the cause of the disorder, these symptoms may occur continually or in recurring episodes brought on by changes in head position, by changes in altitude or barometric pressure, or by certain changes in diet or body fluid levels. |
What causes vestibular disorders?
In people under age 50, the most common cause of serious vestibular disorders is a blow to the head or neck “whiplash” injury, which damages either/both inner ears.
People who experience chronic middle-ear infections may eventually sustain damage to the vestibular and hearing structures of the inner ear. Aging may cause vestibular problems, with some parts of the inner ear degenerating as a person grows older, causing dizziness, vertigo and/or hearing loss.
High doses or long-term uses of certain antibiotics may cause permanent damage to the inner ear and result in loss of vestibular system function. The use of aspirin, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, or medications such as certain oral contraceptives, sedatives, or tranquilizers, may cause temporary vestibular and/or hearing problems.
Occasionally, a slow-growing tumor on the nerve that leads from the inner ear to the brain may interfere with the normal function of the vestibular system. Other causes, such as insufficient blood flow to the vestibular system or to certain parts of the brain, may also result in vestibular disorders.
The most common problem involving the vestibular system is motion sickness caused by exposure to unusual or conflicting visual or surface orientation references. For instance, someone who is prone to motion sickness may experience dizziness, nausea, and vomiting while walking on a floating dock, driving on a bumpy road, or riding on a merry-go-round.
What happens in the exercise program?
The treatment focuses on improving balance function, decreasing dizziness symptoms, and increasing overall activity levels.
Vestibular habituation exercises: A therapist determines specific movements and/or positions that provoke symptoms. Exercises are based on the rationale that through repeated exposure to the specific stimulus causing the vertigo, the brain becomes accustomed to and lessen or alleviate the dizziness.
Balance retraining exercises: Involves exercises designed to improve coordination of muscle responses and organizing sensory information for balance control. The emphasis is on a home exercise program, including daily activity such as walking or biking to maintain improvements.
Patients are seen in the clinic multiple times per week for an average of six to eight weeks. Progress is monitored, home exercise is modified, and specific balance retraining occurs.
Does therapy succeed?
Several patient studies have been done to examine the effect of vestibular therapy on dizziness symptoms. These studies unanimously demonstrate a decrease in symptoms of dizziness and disequilibrium after therapy. Best results appear to be attained when vestibular therapy is combined with general exercise to reduce deconditioning effects.
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Insurances We Accept
The BALANCE CENTER OF LAS VEGAS accepts all PPO plans, including all Medicare-replacement PPO plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. The following list in not all inclusive. Please call if you don’t see the insurer you are interested in.
| AARPAETNAAFFILIATED HEALTH PLANS
AIG AMERIGROUP ASSOCIATED RISK BANKERS LFE BEECH STREET BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD CARPENTERS HEALTH & WELFARE CEMENT MASONS CHAMP VA CIGNA CLARK COUNTY SELF-FUNDED CORVEL COVENTRY CULINARY (BALANCE/DIZZINESS ONLY) |
FIRST HEALTHFISERVGALLAGER BASSETT
HUMANA LEGACY PROVIDER NETWORK LIBERTY MUTUAL MAIL HANDLERS MEDICAID MEDICARE MEDRISK MIRAGE RESORTS WORKER’S COMP MULTIPLAN NEVADA PREFERRED PROVIDERS OPERATING ENGINEERS OPTUM HEALTHCARE PACIFICARE PPO PRIME |
RAILROAD MEDICARESIERRA CHOICE PPOSIERRA WORKER’S COMP
SMART COMP SOUTHWEST CARPENTERS ST MARY’S TEACHERS HEALTH TRUST TRICARE UNITED AMERICAN UNIVERSAL UNITED HEALTH CARE UNIVERSAL HEALTH VETERAN’S ADMINISTRATION |
