Frequently Asked questions
What to Expect
First and foremost expect a friendly, professional and personalised session. You will not be required to wear special clothing and the assessment can be completed in the comfort of your own home at a time that is convenient to you. Or you can book a time to attend clinic.
How long will the session last?
The first assessment will take approximately 1 hour and will provide information that will be essential to providing an individualised treatment plan designed to address your goals.
Treatment and any followup review sessions will be discussed. In general a review session lasts 30-45 minutes. However, everything can be tailored to each individuals needs.
What will be included in the assessment?
Time will be spent discussing the reason for the assessment, personal aims and expectations of the assessment. This will direct specific areas of the assessment. The more active part of the session will involve a review of limb movements including co-ordination and power. I will observe how you walk, looking at any walking aids, footwear, but specifically examining the symmetry, rhythm and efficiency of your balance and walking pattern. I will assess your balance in various postures from sitting, standing and walking. During these postures I will provide specific challenges to the systems involved in maintaining your balance.
For more specific dizziness issues videography goggles will be used to assess eye movments as well as head movements and positional testing for the vestibular system, as indicated by the assessment.
What does a balance assessment include?
Balance assessment includes dizziness (including vertigo, increased sense of sway, acute and chronic episodes) and assessment of factors which lead to increased risk of falls.
How can balance or falls physiotherapy help me?
Issues with balance affect all ages and require a specialist approach to identify the cause and interventions required to reach personal goals. Issues raised can include concerns ranging from reduced confidence in walking, dizziness, post fracture rehabilitation, increased difficulty completing hobbies, post hospital discharge, and fear of falls. With over fifteen years of experience working with older people, including a wide range of condition I provide a comprehensive assessement and rehabilitation program. I offer an holistic approach to individuals in their own homes. Interventions and rehabilitation programmes are designed to help to reduce risk of injury and illness in the future and are not limited for those needing walking aids! Indeed the aim is to prevent the onset of needing help or start the path to reducing the level of help or type of aids needed.
Can physiotherapy help my dizziness?
Dizziness is very common and can be as debilitating as physical issues but is often missed, misinterpreted or misunderstood.
Specialist assessement is required to differentiate symptoms and provide evidence based treatments to both relieve and understand symptoms. As a specialist clinician in the assessment and management of dizziness I provide a comprehensive assessment including heart arrhythmia & blood pressure screening along side peripheral vestibular function and central vestibular integration. Testing includes all canals for BPPV. Concussion and migraine symptoms are assessed and individualised management plans provided.
A summary of findings and relevanat treatment options will be provided.
Please contact me at falls-balance@hotmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.