Salvatore Garbo Regains His Home Base

Imagine every time you lie down on one side, the room begins to spin.  Or, maybe you are out taking a stroll, and you suddenly collapse without warning.  Salvatore Garbo was living with these symptoms, until he completed a patient-specific program at the Peace River Regional Center for Balance Disorders.

Salvatore Garbo was diagnosed with a dizziness disorder called BPPV, or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Patients suffering from BPPV typically experience vertigo, or a spinning sensation, which is elicited by a change in head position.

In Garbo’s case, calcium carbonate crystals, derived from a structure within the ear, became dislodged, making their way into the semi-circular canals of the inner ear.  When this happens, you “lose your home base,” states Lori Miller,MSPT, ATC-L, CSCS, Physical Therapist at the Peace River Regional Center for Balance Disorders.  “Your semi-circular canals are what detect the angular motion of your head.  When these canals become contaminated with these crystals, your input signals become skewed, causing vertigo symptoms."

At the Peace River Regional Center for Balance Disorders, Lori aided Garbo in completing six treatments of individualized physical therapy focusing on his specific needs.  Specific measurements used to quantify levels of impairment were obtained using the Neurocom EquiTest®, a system that uses interactive technology to measure balance control and postural stability under test conditions that reflect the challenges of daily life.  In the end, the EquiTest® provided precise data that allowed Lori to accurately identify, diagnose and treat Salvatore’s problems of imbalance and postural instability.

To complete Salvatore Garbo’s treatment, Lori used a testing maneuver called the Dix-Hallpike.  The Hallpike uses head positions to distinguish which ear and canal is affected.  The maneuver may reproduce the patient’s symptoms; however, the symptoms typically subside within one minute, ultimately aiding in a diagnosis.  Once complete, Lori utilized a particle repositioning procedure called the Epley’s Maneuver.  This maneuver incorporates sequential movement with various head positions, ultimately clearing Garbo’s BPPV.

After completing his treatments, Salvatore Garbo says: “I feel good.”  Now, Garbo can do things he hasn’t been able to do in quite some time.  He can get in and out of a car with more ease.  He can stand out of a chair without grabbing for support.  He can even stand on one foot – the stork stand – which he could not do when he entered treatment in April.  When asked what Salvatore Garbo thought of his treatment program and the Peace River Regional Center for Balance Disorders, he replied: “Superb!”

“I recommend that everyone my age have a balance screening at least once a year,” says Garbo.  “Just so one can maintain their daily life activities.”  Lori agrees: “If anything, men and women of all ages should be screened so that they can make the appropriate lifestyle changes they may need.  This way, they can take full advantage and really enjoy their lifestyle.”

Garbo will continue his training with a self-directed home program.  This program has been created specifically for Garbo and involves various strengthening exercises, balance, and vision strategies.