JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Shari Kicker, PT, physical therapist with Capital Region Healthplex West, recently earned a Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation from the American Physical Therapy Association. For more than 16 years, Kicker has helped patients achieve their rehabilitation goals and adds this level of expertise to her knowledge base expanding the range of patients she is able to help.
WHAT IS VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION?
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate the problems caused by vestibular disorders. The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, vestibular disorders can result. People with vestibular disorders often experience problems with vertigo (sense of room spinning), dizziness, lightheadedness visual disturbance, and/or imbalance.
VRT begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment that should include collecting a detailed history of the patient’s symptoms and how these symptoms affect their daily activities. The therapist will document the type and intensity of symptoms and discuss the precipitating circumstances.
Treatments may include positional treatments, exercises customized to the patient to improve balance, movement tolerance and visual stability.
About Capital Region Therapy Services
Capital Region Medical Center offers therapy services on an outpatient basis in three Jefferson City locations, Healthplex West, The Sam B. Cook Healthplex and Capital Region Outpatient Therapy Services located in the physicians office building next to the hospital. Staffed by an experience team of physical, occupational, and other specialized therapists and sports medicine experts, the team excels in helping patients meet their rehabilitation goals. For more information or to begin the referral process please visit http://sbchealthplex.crmc.org/therapy-services or call (573) 638-3400.
About Capital Region Medical Center
Capital Region Medical Center, located in Jefferson City, Mo. is an affiliate hospital of University of Missouri Health Care, and encompasses a full service hospital, a comprehensive cancer program at Goldschmidt Cancer Center and an expansive clinic system covering eight counties. Within the hospital, the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center is one of the few accredited hospital-based rehabilitation centers in the state. From prenatal and obstetric care to orthopaedic and cardiovascular services, Capital Region provides innovative health care, advancing its mission to improve the health and wellness of the people and communities it serves. For more information, visit www.crmc.org.