Find Your Balance at Hands of Hope
A Closer Look at Dizziness, Vertigo, and How Our Team Can Help You Stay On your Feet
You sit up in bed, only to be met with the sudden sensation that your bedroom has become a Til-a-Whirl. Although it subsides after a few minutes, you’re left feeling deeply unsettled. Obviously, your room can’t spin around. So what just happened?
The answer’s simple: you just experienced vertigo, a type of dizziness that indicates there’s a dysfunction in your body’s balance system. Vertigo and associated symptoms, such as feelings of lightheadedness or unsteadiness, can have a significant impact on your quality of life, increasing your fall risk, lowering your confidence, and preventing you from participating in the activities you enjoy.
Fortunately, the team at Hands of Hope offers vestibular therapy, a specialized solution designed to help you achieve lasting relief from dizziness, vertigo, and other related balance disorders.
We’ve Expanded! Now Serving Patients in Bay Ridge
We’re excited to share some great news. Hands of Hope has opened a location in Bay Ridge, making it even easier for our patients to access high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
Our Bay Ridge clinic offers the same personalized, one-on-one physical therapy experience our patients know and trust. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or looking to improve strength and mobility, our licensed therapists are here to help you move better and feel stronger.
The new location is conveniently located at 8009 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209. Call us at (917) 818-1807 today!
How You Stay Balanced: Understanding the Vestibular System
Vestibular therapy takes its name from the fact that it addresses issues with the vestibular system, which controls your body’s balance and stability.
The vestibular system consists of small structures in your inner ear that send signals related to balance and stabilization to the brain, where it uses this information to keep you steady as your head moves. When the vestibular system is working properly, these signals help you walk, bend over, reach overhead, and change positions without getting disoriented.
But when the system is disrupted in some way, dizziness and vertigo can ensue. Many factors can affect the vestibular system, and effective treatment depends on figuring out which ones apply to you.
Common Causes of Dizziness and Vertigo
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Caused by loose crystals inside the inner ear that move into the wrong area, disrupting vestibular signals
Vestibular Neuritis
A viral infection of the vestibular nerve that leads to sudden dizziness and imbalance
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Head injuries can disrupt the pathways that connect the inner ear to the brain
Ménière’s Disease
Changes in fluid pressure inside the inner ear can trigger episodes of vertigo and other symptoms
Sensory Integration Changes
Reduced vision or impaired joint-position awareness can place additional stress on the vestibular system, leading to dizziness.
A Closer Look at Vestibular Therapy at Hands of Hope
As alarming as dizziness and vertigo can be, you do have treatment options. The first step involves identifying the underlying causes of your specific symptoms. One of the tools we use to help with this process is videonystagmography (VNG) testing, which helps us understand how your vestibular system is functioning.
VNG tracks specific eye movements while the head or body is in motion, providing us with information about how the inner ear and brain coordinate balance signals. The results of VNG testing help us identify the source of your dizziness or vertigo and select the most effective treatment strategies for your vestibular therapy plan.
What Vestibular Therapy Techniques Might We Suggest?
Canalith Repositioning
This technique addresses BPPV (which is also the most common cause of vertigo). Our therapists guide the head through a precise sequence to shift loose crystals back into their correct position within the inner ear.
Gaze Stabilization Exercises
This technique utilizes eye and head movements to help the brain stabilize vision during motion, improving your ability to look around without feeling dizzy.
Habituation Exercises
We’ll guide you through controlled movements that normally trigger dizziness, helping the brain reduce its response over time.
Strength and Sensory Integration Training
We’ll combine muscle-strengthening tasks with visual and proprioceptive exercises to support steadiness during day-to-day activities.
Balance and Gait Training
Vestibular therapy also includes exercises to improve your balance, walking patterns, and overall posture. We’ll guide you through exercises that strengthen your core and lower body and enhance balance reactions.
Strategies for Symptom Management
Our team can help you understand what to do when you do experience dizziness or vertigo. For example, breathing exercises and gradual exposure techniques can help reduce symptoms and build confidence.
Exercise of the Month
One Leg Balance
(Ankles, Core, Balance)
With your hands on the back of a chair, countertop, or wall, slowly lift your uninjured leg upward behind you so that your weight lies on the leg with the injured ankle. Hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds and gradually progress to more seconds as you get stronger. 2 Sets, 1 Rep. (Materials needed: chair)
Discover AposHealth®: A Revolutionary Approach to Managing Joint Pain
Living with chronic joint pain can make even the simplest daily activities feel challenging. At Hands of Hope, we are committed to offering innovative, evidence-based solutions that help our patients move more comfortably and confidently. One such option is AposHealth®, a clinically proven, non-invasive treatment designed to reduce pain and improve mobility, without medications or surgery.
What Is AposHealth®?
AposHealth is a personalized therapy program that focuses on improving the way you walk, also known as your gait. The treatment uses specially designed, customized footwear that gently shifts how weight is distributed through your joints. By reducing stress on painful areas, AposHealth helps relieve discomfort while encouraging healthier movement patterns throughout your day.
How Does It Work?
Each AposHealth program begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your walking pattern, posture, pain points, and functional goals. The footwear is then individually calibrated for you, creating a subtle instability that activates muscles in the legs and lower back. Over time, this helps strengthen supporting muscles, improve balance, and restore a more natural gait – leading to reduced pain and better function during everyday activities.
Backed by Research
AposHealth is supported by extensive scientific research and has been shown to be effective for conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, hip pain, and lower back pain. Many patients report meaningful improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life as they progress through the program.
Is AposHealth Right for You?
AposHealth may be a great option if you experience chronic knee, hip, or back pain, osteoarthritis, post-surgical challenges, or difficulty walking or maintaining balance. Our experienced team will guide you through a thorough evaluation to determine if this innovative approach aligns with your needs and goals.
If joint pain is holding you back, AposHealth may help you take confident steps toward lasting relief.
Recipe of the Month: Brain-Boosting Balance Smoothie
Support your vestibular health from the inside out with this nutrient-rich smoothie packed with ingredients that promote brain health and balance.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen blueberries (rich in antioxidants)
- 1 banana (potassium for nerve function)
- 1/2 avocado (healthy fats for brain health)
- 1 cup spinach (vitamin B for nerve health)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (omega-3s)
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- Toppings: sliced almonds, fresh berries, granola
Instructions:
Blend all base ingredients until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass and arrange your favorite toppings. The combination of antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential vitamins supports overall brain and nervous system health.
We’re Here to Help, Every Step of the Way
We know dizziness and vertigo can be alarming, but you don’t have to manage them alone. A personalized vestibular therapy program from Hands of Hope can help reduce your symptoms so you feel more confident in your day-to-day life.
🎉 Happy New Year from Hands of Hope! 🎉
As we step into 2026, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Thank you for trusting us with your care, for your dedication to your recovery, and for being part of the Hands of Hope family.
This year, we’re excited to continue helping you achieve your health and wellness goals. Whether you’re working through a new challenge or continuing your journey to better balance, mobility, and pain-free living, we’re here every step of the way.
Here’s to a year filled with strength, stability, and success. May 2026 bring you health, happiness, and the confidence to pursue all that matters most to you.
From all of us at Hands of Hope – Happy New Year!
New Year, New Goals: Set Yourself Up for Success
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on your health and set meaningful goals. But how do you make sure your resolutions stick? Here are some tips from our team:
Start Small
Choose one or two achievable goals rather than overwhelming yourself with a long list. Small wins build momentum.
Be Specific
Instead of “exercise more,” try “attend physical therapy twice a week” or “practice my balance exercises daily.”
Track Your Progress
Keep a journal or use an app to monitor improvements. Seeing progress, even small steps, keeps you motivated.
Ask for Support
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help you set realistic goals and develop a plan to achieve them.
This year, commit to prioritizing your health and well-being. We’re excited to be part of your journey!
Source: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-9869-2_1
