What is your first reaction when your new or existing patient says, “I’m feeling dizzy today?” Dizziness (including issues relating to our vestibular or inner ear balance system) affects about 15% to 20% of adults yearly. Every occupational therapy professional should feel confident in recognizing and determining the right next steps for helping individuals with dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance, including those with unexplained falls. Whether you are an OT, COTA, or OT student, this lecture will bolster your skill set and equip you with a new perspective to assist the one in five patients with dizziness sitting in front of you tomorrow.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify what not to miss in patients with dizziness

• Understand vestibular basics to be able to triage individuals with possible vestibular disorders
  
• Discuss client education, basic interventions, and appropriate referrals for common dizziness issues

Helena Esmonde, PT, DPT, NCS, has over 19 years of experience and has specialized in treating patients with neurologic, balance, and vestibular conditions for the past 15 years. Helena passed her Vestibular Competency exam at Emory University in 2015, certified to treat Cervicogenic Dizziness in 2016, and co-founded Vestibular First, a company which makes affordable infrared video goggles and educational tools, in 2017. Dedicated to student education, she has served as a teaching assistant at Temple, Jefferson, Neumann, Arcadia, Harcum, and St. Joseph’s University.  Helena has given numerous professional lectures and taught several continuing education courses over the past few years, covering vestibular topics such as BPPV and concussion, as well as hosting an online Journal Club with renowned vestibular experts serving as her special guests.