New Brain and Balance Clinic Opens in Joliet

Have you ever felt unsteady or dizzy? Or maybe you sometimes lose your footing when walking or climbing stairs. As adults, we tend to make excuses for falling relating it to shear clumsiness or a sign of aging when instead it may be caused by certain health conditions, medications, or a problem in the inner ear or the brain. But without proper treatment, falls can result in hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries. And even falls without a major injury can cause an older adult to become fearful or depressed, making it difficult for them to stay active.

To help active and older adults stay on their feet, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross Hospital recently opened a Brain and Balance Clinic in their facility in the Silver Cross Professional Building on the west side of Joliet at 1051 Essington Rd.

“The clinic is an extension of our Neurosciences and Stroke Rehabilitation program at Silver Cross Hospital making it even more convenient for patients requiring physical therapy for vestibular (balance) disorders, headaches and migraines, and fall prevention,” said Matt Boebel, administrative director of Rehabilitation Services with RIC at Silver Cross. “Our therapists are specially trained to conduct a thorough evaluation and develop individualized treatment plans to help improve the strength, stability and mobility of patients with brain and balance problems.”

Finding, Maintaining and Teaching Balance

Loss of balance can be caused by medical conditions or when you vision, inner ear or muscular system are not working properly.

“Patients who are referred to us by their doctor are asked a series of questions about their symptoms and condition,” said Matt Degraff, senior physical therapist with the Brain and Balance Clinic. “We then perform tests such as motion, strength, coordination, visual tracking using Frenzel Goggles, and balance assessments with our new Balance System, to help evaluate overall physical ability. We also talk with our patients’ doctors to get a good picture of their health history so we can effectively address the problem.”

Once the causes have been identified, RIC’s Brain and Balance Clinic therapists develop an individual program to address the patient’s specific needs including exercises that can be performed home. Therapists also provide recommendations to the patient and their family members how to create and maintain a fall-proof home environment.

“Decreased balance can diminish your ability to lead an active and independent life,” said Dr. Andrew Hendrix, medical director of The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital. “About one third of people over the age of 65 and almost half of people over the age of 80 will fall at least once this year.”

At RIC’s Brain and Balance Clinic, therapists conduct free screenings year round to determine fall risk. The 15-minute screening includes a medical history, blood pressure measurements, and balance assessment to identify risk factors, posture, range of motion, strength, static and dynamic balance. Based on the results, therapists may provide recommendations to improve your balance and reduce risk of falls and/or a referral for treatment. To schedule a free fall and balance screening, call 815-300-6580.

In addition to vestibular disorders rehabilitation, balance enhancement therapy, and fall prevention screenings, the Brain and Balance Clinic offers evaluation and treatment of headaches and migraines using the latest evidenced-based rehabilitation practices.

To schedule an appointment, call (815) 300-6580. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross’s Brain and Balance Clinic accepts most insurances including Medicare and offers evening and Saturday hours.

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at four locations. Additionally, the RIC team provides physical therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 300-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org