FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: Mar 2, 2021
What if I am too dizzy to read any of your instructions or website descriptions?
Call me. I really want you to feel better, and get the care you need. I will read you every question on the intake paperwork if I have to.
Ask for help from a friend or loved one. If you can, asking for help early on for getting connected and evaluated can make a huge difference in getting your care started.
Try watching or listening to the videos instead. One of my goals is to have videos of everything. Check out my Youtube channel.
Is vestibular therapy what I need?
If you are having dizziness, vertigo, movement-sensitivity and imbalance, the vestibular system could be involved. Anything to do with a malfunction in your movement-sensing system can cause symptoms which can be addressed with vestibular rehab. Vestibular therapy has been shown to be very effective in reducing symptoms. I have seen it myself time and again.
As usual, VeDA has a great description already of what vestibular rehab is, and how it can be helpful to you. I don’t see any reason to re-invent the wheel, so here’s the link.
https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/treatments/vestibular-rehabilitation-therapy-vrt/
Is telehealth right for me?
It’s true, telehealth isn’t for everyone, but you may be surprised at what can be accomplished. A huge part of the benefit that a physical therapist can provide is through education, demonstration, and problem-solving. The rest of what a physical therapist can provide can still be done through telehealth with some creativity, cooperation, and patience. So, anything that can be done in person, can be done with telehealth! There have been a few studies indicating that vestibular rehabilitation through telehealth is very effective (example).
Telehealth with DizzyPhysio will allow you to get the care you need for your vestibular issues from the comfort of your own home, and without delay. Ideal for people who:
Are taking precautions due to COVID-19
Live far away from any other vestibular treatment providers
Have to wait for an appointment with another specialist
Live busy lives and would benefit from flexible scheduling
Your safety is very important to us. Give us a call if you aren’t sure about telehealth vestibular therapy. Here are some cases where telehealth might not be right for you:
If you have trouble standing independently without help or are highly prone to falls, you may need a skilled clinician with you to safely participate in any balance training. You may look into having home health therapy, or mobile therapy services.
If you don’t have the necessary technology: internet, computer, camera, microphone.
If you will have trouble following instructions for any reason, and will need physical touch for guidance, such as if you have high level of anxiety about your symptoms or cognitive and memory problems.
How do I ensure I am safe during a telehealth visit?
This is very important! As a doctor of physical therapy, I have training and experience in ensuring your safety. It’s very important to maintain open communication with your clinician about what you are feeling and your experiences. If your safety is a concern, the treatment will not continue. That being said, I will make every effort to address your needs safely and effectively and will recommend in-person services if this isn’t possible. This may include making modifications to the activity, your environment, and/or computer setup.
Check out our video and blog post about how to make the most of your initial evaluation! It has some helpful tips about using surfaces such as kitchen countertops, the back of a sofa, or standing in a corner to help support you when you feel unsteady, as well as having someone nearby to help with some of the more difficult parts of your assessment. It also demonstrates some optimal ways to set up and hold your camera device so your clinician can make the best decisions about your safety.
Your clinician will never ask you to do anything unsafe, even if it does provoke your symptoms. Often, provoking your symptoms is part of the assessment and treatment. Your clinician will explain the process and reasoning every step of the way.
Do you take insurance?
Typically, no. DizzyPhysio charges a flat rate for our services which allows us to be more transparent about our pricing, and provide better care to you, sooner, without the delays and constraints of insurance contracts. This actually allows us to charge lower rates, and provide more focused, one-on-one care, resulting in better value for your money. Compare the cost of copays, deductibles, and co-insurance for services at an in-network physical therapy clinic with DizzyPhysio's flat rates and individualized care.
Exceptions:
Medicare. DizzyPhysio can accept payment from Medicare.
Out-of-network benefits: DizzyPhysio can bill your insurance for out-of-network benefits as an additional complimentary service. Ask about our out-of-network billing if you have out-of-network benefits you'd like to utilize.
I am from another state, other than Texas, can you still help me?
Physical therapists are licensed by their state boards, and I currently only hold license in Texas. The law requires that a physical therapist be licensed in the state where the patient is physically. If you are from somewhere else, but physically located in Texas at the time of treatment, no problem!
Unfortunately, we cannot provide any assessment or treatment services for anyone outside of Texas right now, and our mobile services are only available in the Austin region. The good news is, I can apply for a license in ANY state! It just takes time and lots of fees. If you think my services would be valued in your state, let me know!
I can also still chat with you and give you advice about where you might turn for help, no matter where you are. Don’t hesitate to reach out from any state! Coaching and wellness consultation services are available to anyone, anywhere.
As a physical therapist, can you treat problems other than dizziness?
Sure! Yes! Of course!
I have a background in orthopedic physical therapy, including a year-long certification training in manual therapy. I would love to help with your acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain issues.
Sometimes people just have balance problems, without dizziness. I can help with that too! There are many techniques that can be done online or in person to improve your balance, depending on the cause of your balance problems. The focus is on safety and function.
Give me a call if you aren’t sure! I can always recommend another provider if it seems outside my area of expertise.
Where can I find more information about my vestibular problem?
Check out our blog/vlog. I love educating about this stuff. Sign up for our newsletter for updates.
You just can’t beat the Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) for good, relevant, useful information about vestibular problems. Check out their website here, and my full blog post about them here.
Do I need computerized vestibular testing?
This is an interesting question. The answer is: It depends.
Testing is helpful for quantifying and isolating a vestibular problem. It can be very helpful diagnostically, especially if you need medical or surgical intervention.
We can still tell a lot about how your vestibular system is functioning with a clinical and/or telehealth assessment, and vestibular therapy can be just as effective without testing.
Vestibular testing can be easy and non-invasive. Hearing tests are the most useful, in my opinion, as they can give a lot of information about how the hearing part of the ear is functioning.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
In the state of Texas, it is required for a physical therapist to have a plan of care signed by a medical doctor if the therapy is going to last more than 10 days. In addition, Medicare will not pay for physical therapy without a plan of care certified by the physician.
The best way to do this is to:
Have a referral to DizzyPhysio from a Physician, Dentist, Chiropractor, Podiatrist, Physician Assistant, or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
OR Have a full initial evaluation and assessment with DizzyPhysio. We will establish a plan for your care, then send it to your primary care physician, or another provider to sign and return. This is why our intake paperwork asks about your primary care provider. It’s best if this provider is someone you have already seen and knows about your dizziness problem.
Without this, treatment cannot continue after 10 days.