Cranial & Facial Pain

Vertigo and dizziness are two separate conditions that can be the result of a variety of different factors, but most involve problems with the inner ear. Vertigo specifically involves a sensation of seeing the room quickly spin. The most common type of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This type happens when calcium crystals form in the inner ear labyrinth canals, confusing the feedback about balance sent to your brain.
One treatment option we use for Vertigo is a positioning process that can clear debris from your inner ear.
Dizziness refers to other types of problems:

• A loss of balance or unsteadiness
• Blurred vision when you are moving
• Nausea
• Vomiting

A common treatment approach for dizziness is called vestibular rehabilitation. This treatment modality features exercises designed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the inner ear, eliminating dizziness. Patients typically enjoy significant improvement from these therapies. As with all therapy, the key to maximum success is precise assessment of the underlying problems in collaboration with your doctor. Your Proliance Therapist will focus on identifying the optimum combination of treatments for your unique symptoms.

A concussion can be caused by an impact to the head, or anything that jolts your head, neck or body causing bruising to your brain and temporarily impacting normal brain function. People with a concussion can experience:

• Dizziness
• Double vision or blurred vision
• Difficulty concentrating
• Balance problems 
• Drowsiness 
• Headaches
• Irritability or mood swings
• Sensitivity to light or noise

Rest is the most important first step for recovery. Most concussions resolve on their own with many people reporting that symptoms are gone after 7-10 days. However, if your symptoms have not resolved physical therapy can help restore balance, stability, mental focus, and mood. Your Proliance Therapist will carefully assess your symptoms in collaboration with your doctor to identify the optimum treatment plan.

Difficulties with balance walking are very common, especially as we age. Our sensory systems are very complex, and many issues can contribute to problems with balance and walking. If you have noticed any of the following symptoms, come meet with a Proliance Physical & Hand Therapy expert to develop a treatment program to improve, and in many cases, eliminate your unsteadiness and risk for falls. Do you:

• Feel unsteady or frequent loss of balance?
• Catch your toes or trip when walking?
• Have difficulty getting out of a chair?
• Experience too many falls or near falls?
• Find yourself holding onto furniture or walls while walking?
• Find yourself unexpectedly changing direction when walking?
• Notice more difficulty walking at night or first thing in the morning?

These are some of the underlying issues our therapists look for:

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Inner Ear disorders
• Stroke
• Concussions
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis

If you are having problems with balance or walking, we will start with a comprehensive evaluation to determine why. From that careful analysis your Proliance Therapist will develop a personalized plan to specifically address your needs, with the goal of fully restoring your independence and confidence.

The joint where your jawbone attaches to the skull is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It is a complex joint. It has to both slide forward and drop down for your jaw to open. This joint moves thousands of times every day when you talk, eat or move your jaw. Your TMJ has a disc, a fluid filled sac within it and many ligaments and muscles that coordinate its movement. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) is how we identify the types of problems that occur in this joint.

The temporomandibular joint relies on proper posture and alignment to function well. The posture and positioning of your neck and head make a significant impact in whether the muscles of the temporomandibular joint work properly or not. Abnormal muscle movement can lead to improper movement of the TMJ which can lead to pain.

If you are having problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) your Proliance Physical & Hand Therapy expert will carefully examine you to identify which of the many potential factors are contributing to your pain. They will determine where you have poor alignment of the TMJ, neck and head. By improving posture, movement and function, the normal muscle balance and movement of the TMJ can be restored. In addition to the in-clinic therapy, our therapists will train you on exercises and techniques that you can use to prevent future problems.

At Proliance Physical & Hand Therapy our experts don’t just treat your symptoms. We take the time to understand the root cause of your pain so we can develop the optimum plan to promote healing. Your therapist won’t just help you get better, they will also provide education and exercises with the goal of helping you achieve a healthy, strong, and pain free lifestyle.