Balance Center

At the Allegiance Balance Center you’ll find specially trained, compassionate staff who will skillfully diagnose and offer treatment options for your balance concerns, so that you may manage your condition and improve your quality of life.

 

How does our balance system work?

Balance depends on three senses all working together: your inner ear (vestibular system), your eyes (visual system), and sensory input from muscles and joints in your feet and legs (somatosensory system). A problem with one or more of these systems can results in a number of symptoms, including:

  • Vertigo (a sense of moving or spinning)
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of balance
  • Unsteadiness
  • Feeling faint
  • Light-headedness or feeling “woozy”
  • Floating sensation
  • Visual blurring with head movement

Diagnosing Dizziness and Imbalance

To help our team determine the cause of your dizziness, imbalance, or unsteadiness, we start with a careful review of your medical history. One or more of the following tests will be used to assist in making a diagnosis.

  • Hearing test
  • Checking your inner ear balance system (VNG or Videonystagmography)
  • Rotational testing to gain more detailed information about your inner ear system
  • Determining which parts of your balance system you rely on most (Posturography)
  • Physical therapy evaluation to assess balance, posture, flexibility and strength
  • Other tests may be recommended, including MRI, CT scan, blood or heart function tests

Treatment

Discovering the cause of your dizziness, imbalance, or unsteadiness is the first step in finding the best treatment. Once the cause has been identified, the audiologists and physical therapists work together to develop a customized treatment plan for you.

Some of the treatments and recommendations may include:

  • Vestibular rehabilitation therapy to reduce your symptoms of dizziness or imbalance
  • Fall prevention education
  • Home safety evaluation by an Occupational Therapist
  • Medication review and management
  • Medical specialist consultations, such as otology (ENT) or neurology

Is a referral required?

A referral is necessary. Please contact your primary care physician for a referral to the Allegiance Balance Center. We look forward to working with you.