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As a physiotherapist, the decision to use a particular treatment often rests on a delicate balance between using something as there is strong research behind it or not. This holds true with the use of blue light blocking glasses to treat concussion and vestibular migraine. Some optometrists we have talked to indicated that they do not endorse the use of these glasses due to a lack of research. Then, on the other hand we hear from people who say these glasses were "game changers" for managing their symptoms. Is there something behind these glasses, are they a placebo, or a bit of both?

Let's explore the rationale for considering the use of blue light blocking glasses.

Blue Light Blocking...

Wondering what treatment or exercises to prescribe to your patient with ongoing symptoms after a concussion or associated with vestibular migraines?

With seeing patients with these two conditions over the years you have likely found that they both have something in common. They can both have a component of symptoms that originate from the neck, whether it be headaches and/or dizziness. It is therefore vital to be able to address the neck in order to stop the cycle of ongoing symptoms or at least help them manage their symptoms better. At North 49, a tool that has been useful in determining if the neck is a factor in one’s symptoms and can also guide our treatment is the use of...

If you follow the media, especially in regards to celebrities you may have heard that Canadian singer Justin Bieber was recently diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt and will have seen that his smile seems a bit off. He is not the only celebrity to develop a facial paralysis. Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, and Pierce Brosnan all developed facial paralysis, but they had Bell’s Palsy which is different than Ramsay Hunt and we will compare the two conditions below.

So, what exactly is Ramsay Hunt? Well, Ramsay Hunt or herpes zoster oticus is a neurological condition caused by a virus that affects the nerves on one side of the head. If someone has this condition, the two main findings...

Did you know that dizziness, headaches, and pain in the sinus region can be due to a binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)? There are several tests we can use to assess for this, but let's review one of the simplest being the 5 Minute Cover Test. Before we do this though, let's do a quick review of what a BVD is.

What is a binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)?

Binocular vision dysfunction is a condition where the eyes are not looking in the same direction. When looking straight ahead, to the side, up, down, as well as near and far the eyes should be aligned and move together as a pair. Causes of BVD are usually due to poor functioning of a nerve or nerves that control eye movement, or of the...

Do you ever wonder what would happen if one of your patients had a vertebral artery dissection?

Do you ever wonder if you would be able to screen if your patient has a vertebral artery dissection?

We recently had a patient come through our clinic with a vertebral artery dissection and his history was alarming. Before we review this case let’s review some of the common questions about this condition:

• What is vertebral artery dissection?
• What causes vertebral artery dissection?
• How common is vertebral artery dissection?
• What are the symptoms of a vertebral artery dissection?
• How is vertebral artery dissection diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for vertebral artery dissection?

What is...

Have you ever had headaches or dizziness slow you down? With vestibular migraines individuals can unfortunately have a recurring problem with both.

What are Vestibular Migraines?

A vestibular migraine (aka migrainous associated vertigo) is a condition involving the brain that causes symptoms of dizziness.

Are vestibular migraines a neurological disorder?

Yes, vestibular migraines are considered a neurological disorder, but structurally the brain is fine. Rather, a vestibular migraine is thought to be due to the brain having an adverse reaction or sensitivity to a certain stimuli.

What causes a vestibular migraine, or why do I get vestibular migraines?

That is a great question that no...

Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in research published regarding concussions. This information has allowed care providers to better understand the pathophysiology and natural history of concussions. Treatment protocols have also been published to assist care providers in the management of concussions.

As with anything, with this increase in published information, there is a corresponding increase in misinformation and/or poor quality research. This has lead to conflicting information and confusion for both the health care provider and the patient.

Given this, we have decided to clear up some of this confusion in regards to concussions by getting “back to...