Blog
Alone in the Room
I would like to share tips to manage an acute episode of vertigo that was provoked by lying down.
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Have you hit a dead end in understanding the cause of your dizziness or vertigo?
Does this sound like you or someone you know with dizziness, vertigo, imbalance or unexplained repeated falls?
You’ve hit a lot of dead ends but you haven’t given up.
Should You Treat Yourself for BPPV? Understanding the Crystals in your Ear
In a case of BPPV, a person can have misplaced crystal(s) floating in any of one or combination of their 6 inner ear canals.
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Dizziness and Vertigo – Research in Aging
Check out my second UCSD Stein Public Lecture “Dizziness and Vertigo – Research in Aging.” I host a panel of experienced clinicians to discuss a comprehensive approach to dizziness and vertigo.
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Evidence-Based Clinical Practice
The diagnosis and immediate treatment of BPPV can be made based on the clinical history and physical exam by a properly trained clinician without any specialized testing equipment.
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From Irrelevant to Emergency
I recently met a woman in her 40s who had spent the previous few weeks crawling around her apartment on her hands and knees.
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Advocacy to Improve Quality of Life
About five years ago, I accepted a one-year travel position as a full-time physical therapist working in Home Health on the Monterey Peninsula.
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Living with a Vestibular Disorder
The wonderful thing about my situation is that because I understand vertigo and it’s multi-factorial causes so clearly, I’ve been able to navigate through a difficult exacerbation of my health symptoms and advocate for myself as I continue to seek out care from specialist providers.
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Is BPPV Always on the Side you Sleep on?
After his examination and treatment, one of my patients asked me very inquisitively, “Is BPPV always on the side you sleep on?”
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Was That an Earthquake?
Living in California, it is sometimes hard to tell if I am experiencing vertigo or if we are having an earthquake.
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What is the Most Common Vestibular Disorder?
Today we are going to answer a frequently asked question that I hear from a lot of people, which is “what is the most common vestibular disorder?”
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Advocacy to Prevent Hospitalizations
It is important to tell a doctor if you have fallen – especially if you were injured – and to seek out preventative services like vestibular rehabilitation when you are dizzy, before a fall.
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Gratitude Journal
One of the strategies I use to keep my mood uplifted through the darker time of the year is a Gratitude Journal.
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Are You Ready for a Fresh Perspective?
I believe that ultimately all Physical Therapists (PTs) should know how to screen for BPPV and how to screen for other vestibular disorders, especially those PTs working in geriatrics.
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Social Support and the Stress of a Vestibular Disorder
Just as I needed to be a social support for my grandfather as he coped with the loss of his spouse, patients who are going through the stress of living day to day with a vestibular disorder need to be sure to seek out a social support system for their own well-being.
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How Much Do You Share? Part 2 of 2
Often people living with Vestibular Disorders look totally normal and fine, which causes confusion for those who love them.
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What Now?
One of my Spiritual Teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh coined the phrase “No Mud, No Lotus.”
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How Much Do You Share? Part 1 of 2
I have noticed that for myself and for my patients with Vestibular Health issues, time with extended family or family we have not kept in close touch with can be exhausting and frustrating.
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6 Travel Tips for Vestibular Health
I have put together six tips to spark helpful ideas for people with dizziness and vertigo who are preparing to travel.
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What Creates Rhythm?
As I began studying the traditional West African Djembe rhythms, I became aware that the space in between the beats was just as important as the beat itself.
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Have You Tried Relaxation Breathing?
I have found the mind and emotions are strongly connected to the stability and ease of the breath.
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Can Yoga Prevent Falls?
I am so happy that researchers are publishing preliminary studies to prove that yoga is effective for both men and women.
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Do you Feel Better in Nature?
Have you found that when you spend time in nature you feel refreshed and a renewed sense of well-being?
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The Benefits of Music to Support Vestibular Health
I am in the unique position of being somebody who is not only a healthcare provider specializing in the inner ear, but I’m also a patient who has an inner ear problem myself. [In fact, I've had multiple inner ear problems since I was a kid.] I’ve recovered from BPPV...
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Singing for Joy
For relaxation, joy and well-being, I really enjoy singing.
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FAQ: How Can I Manage an Episode of Vertigo?
Today we are going to answer the frequently asked question, “How can I manage an episode of vertigo?” And I offer three tips.
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Did You Notice that You are Breathing?
"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." -Psalm 150:6 (NIV) Paying attention to the air as it passes in and out of our lungs is called "mindful breathing." I have found mindful breathing to be a common thread used to improve overall well-being in most of the...
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Have You Tried Yoga?
"Part of any Adapted Yoga Program is to give the nervous system a rest." -Eric L. Small, Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis I first began practicing yoga in 2006 while recovering from injuries from several accidents. The results that I experienced with yoga therapy...
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FAQ: Can My Reaction Time Be Improved with Practice?
Today we are going to answer a question which I often hear from my patients, which is “Can My Reaction Time Be Improved with Practice?”
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What is Normal Aging of the Balance System?
When I teach my physical therapy colleagues and students about dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, fall risk and normal aging, I always emphasize the importance of distinguishing between normal aging and disease, or pathology. That is a key point is determining...
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Summer Heat and Migraine Dizziness
Anyone who suffers with migraines, like I do, knows that certain "triggers" can set off a migraine episode. My list of migraine triggers is well-known to my close family and friends, so they can all help me avoid being exposed to anything that will make my head hurt...
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FAQ: What are 5 Common Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Health Problems?
Today we are going to answer the Frequently Asked Question, "What are the top 5 signs and symptoms that I may have a vestibular problem?" The answer is that people with vestibular problems commonly complain of feelings of imbalance. They may have unexplained repeated...
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FAQ: Why Didn’t my Doctor Assess my Vestibular Health?
Let’s be grateful to our physicians for all that they do to help us. If we can approach our physicians with compassion and gratitude, it will be a better experience for all involved in healthcare.
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Laugh with Me, Part 2 of 2
I love to laugh and it is definitely more fun if you laugh with me! If you would like to laugh with me live, please consider attending the Breathe Yoga Festival in Encinitas, California, November 5-6, 2016.
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Laugh With Me, Part 1 of 2
While recovering from a labral tear of my hip which required extensive surgery to repair, I experienced the powerful healing benefits of laughter.
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Are Your Ears Ringing?
I recently learned of a new technology in hearing aides, called “Tinnitus Therapy,” which has been developed to match and digitally cancel out the ringing that the patient hears in their ears.
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FAQ: Why Can’t I Ride on a Rollercoaster?
A frequently asked question (FAQ) that I hear very often from people is “Why can’t I ride on a rollercoaster?”
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Do You Practice Gratitude for your Well-Being?
An attitude of gratitude can be a powerful force in improving quality of life. Feeling grateful for my well-being is one of my strategies I now use to generate more peace, joy and create even more well-being in my life.
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Healing Myself Spiritually
On my own journey of healing and recovery, I found a holistic healing approach very useful to complement the Western medical model to deepen my inner peace, improve my sense of well-being and increase my overall joy, enthusiasm and passion for life.
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Taking Steps to Prevent Falls
In this blog, I am sharing the link below to my Stein Public Lecture, which is now my first ever one-hour television show currently airing on UCSD-TV, entitled “Taking Steps to Prevent Falls.
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