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Vestibular and Balance TreatmentsIn Fort Collins, Windsor & surrounding cities

The vestibular system is made up of the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information that controls balance and eye movements. Vestibular disorders arise as a result of damage to this system.

Almost 70 million people have experienced vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives. The majority of vestibular disorders in adults often go undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in a diminished quality of life and inability to perform normal day-to-day activities.

The Symptoms

Symptoms of vestibular disorders can greatly diminish quality of life and impact all aspects of daily living. Patients suffering from vestibular disorders often experience:

  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Vertigo, the sensation of spinning
  • Nausea
  • Impaired postural control
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Reduced Focus
  • Fatigue

Secondarily, vestibular imbalance can also contribute to emotional problems like anxiety and depression. Often, people suffering from vestibular disorders also adopt a sedentary lifestyle in order to avoid the primary symptoms, like dizziness and imbalance. As a result, decreased muscle strength and flexibility, increased joint stiffness, and reduced stamina can occur.

The Causes

Vestibular disorders can also result from or be worsened by genetic or environmental conditions, or occur for unknown reasons. Most commonly, causes include inner ear infections or disorders, migraines, tumors, stroke, or head injury.

The most commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, Ménière’s disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and perilymph fistula. Complications from autoimmune disorders and allergies can also cause vestibular imbalance.

Vestibular Rehabilitation at Colorado in Motion

Evidence has shown that vestibular rehabilitation can be effective in improving symptoms related to many vestibular disorders.

Head and neck exercises designed to help the brain “correct” difference between your inner ears, as well as exercises designed to improve balance, can be instrumental to helping eliminate symptoms.

Additionally, Colorado in Motion's physical therapists can help correct issues with balance and walking once vertigo has stopped.

The Colorado in Motion Difference

Specialty-Level Care

Target your discomfort at the source with a customized treatment plan.

More Board Certified Experts

Experience high-quality care from a team you can trust.

Caring Physical Therapists

Gain a team of therapists committed to your recovery.

Vestibular and Balance Treatment Locations

Old Town Fort Collins (Magnolia)

210 W Magnolia St
Fort Collins, CO 80521-2915
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Old Town North (Hickory)

331 Hickory St.
Building 2 STE 130
Fort Collins, CO 80524
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South Fort Collins (Harmony)

115 E Harmony Rd
Fort Collins, CO 80525-3280
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Windsor

1555 Main Street
STE A-4 & 5
Windsor, CO 80550
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East Fort Collins

3744 Timberline Road, Ste. 103
Fort Collins, CO 80525
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

Have more questions? Contact Us

People in Colorado Trust Colorado in Motion

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

Our son was 9+ weeks premature and required physical therapy to help with his gross motor skills. Jessica Albers was our therapist and she was wonderful. She gave us the tools to help our son develop and he is now a very active little two year old. We would recommend Jessica to any parents with a child that needs help.

5 stars

Aaron Biesemeier

Colorado In Motion Patient

I was in a horrible car accident and had tried many specialized treatments for pain and pain management for more than a year before it was suggested to have Physical Therapy at CIM. David's suggestion to try dry needling for my neck & shoulder areas has made a tremendous improvement. David’s positive attitude and professional advice keep me moving and feeling better after each appointment.

5 stars

Carol

Colorado In Motion Patient

John was very helpful in easing the pain in my shoulder and gave me exercises to do at home in short increments of time that would fit into my schedule, but would still accomplish the goal. The care that John demonstrates is superb. I found the entire staff very caring, knowledgeable, kind and informative. They all care about the client and their well-being and health. I’m glad I was referred to this facility.

5 stars

Carol Metzner

Colorado In Motion Patient

Through a combination of dry needling and exercises, Terry had my lower back pain gone within a few weeks. His approach to care is great — educate the patient, give ’em the necessary tools, and the healing happens.

5 stars

Chris Ketterman

Colorado In Motion Patient

I worked with John Zapanta this fall for joint pain and had terrific results. John’s personality, talent and enthusiasm regarding my recovery made the process more enjoyable than I would have thought possible. I was impressed that he often would follow up with an e-mail with photos of suggested exercises, along with words of encouragement.

5 stars

Cynthia Coogan

Colorado In Motion Patient

I was referred to CIM for some calf and Achilles issues a few months after a bad strain. I had the pleasure of working with Derek Haverley to resolve it. Derek took time explaining to me how dry needling could help the situation, the results were amazing. Derek is very professional, personable and skilled. Without him, I simply would not have achieved important personal fitness goals I had this year!

5 stars

Jill Fox

Colorado In Motion Patient

Terry is phenomenal. I’m a runner that has been working on a variety of issues for quite a while and I very recently saw Terry. I’ve had chronic Plantar Fasciitis and Terry has gotten it taken care of. His use of ASTYM has been great and my return to running has been much faster than I thought it would be. I highly recommend him.

5 stars

Jim Haselmaier

Colorado In Motion Patient

From the very first treatment with Tim I knew I was on the road to recovery. A combination of dry needling, manipulation, home exercises relieved my chronic leg pain caused by a herniated disk. I was in severe pain and limited mobility for more than 3 years. I’ve had 4 treatments and I’m back on my bike. Tim cares and he knows how to get you back into life.

5 stars

Joe

Colorado In Motion Patient

At CIM, I was fortunate to be the client of both Amy and John before and after shoulder surgery, and my son spent a visit with Amy for both acute and chronic ankle injury. Amy’s ability to explore, diagnose, and positively isolate all the issues through progressive examination and testing is excellent. John filled in for some visits without missing a single observation or conclusion. This place seems to have been built with a mission in mind to focus on each person uniquely, and it worked for us.

5 stars

John Jacobi

Colorado In Motion Patient

I am 100% cured. No more numbness in my fingers. I don’t even need to wear my brace at night anymore. Your recommended equipment and posture changes did the trick. Thanks so much!

5 stars

Rob, Fort Collins

Colorado In Motion Patient

Tim has been helping me deal with various running and cycling injuries for a couple of years. They have included hip, back, calf, and knee issues. The at-home exercises he recommended helped so much, and I am now running and cycling pain free. He also recommended a specific strength training program. I am so grateful for his help.

5 stars

Sheri

Colorado In Motion Patient

Thank you so much! I love you guys and the care I received!

5 stars

Zoe

Colorado In Motion Patient
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