Dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance are among the most common reasons for patients to visit physicians. The good news is that such vestibular disorders are often highly treatable using the methods of a specialized field of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation.
This kind of therapy aims to understand and treat the causes of vestibular disorders to reduce or eliminate dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium, and improve balance, visual stability, postural control, and quality of life.
PT@acac offers outstanding vestibular rehabilitation services for patients across the Central Virginia region.
We address symptoms associated with:
BPPV
Vestibular neuritis
Labyrinthitis
Post concussion syndrome
Vestibular migraine
Meniere’s disease
Cervico-genic dizziness
Cerebellar disorders
Strokes
Multiple sclerosis
Mal de debarquement
CANVAS syndrome
Acoustic neuromas
Orthostatic hypotension
Persistent postural perceptual dizziness
Central vertigo
Patients suffering from vestibular dysfunction may report:
Specialization: General orthopedic rehabilitation after injury or surgery with a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation and balance disorders
Myers was always interested in science and how it impacted people’s lives for the better, but it wasn’t until completing her freshman year at college that she decided to forego her plan to be a high school science teacher and turn to the field of Physical Therapy instead.
“I sat down with my dad, the health professions advisor at the college in my hometown, and we talked through many different careers in the field of science. He mentioned physical therapy and I expressed sufficient interest that he arranged for me to meet the PT in our local school system.
“I realized right away that PT was a profession that would blend my interest in helping others with my interest in science. After observing in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic in my junior year, I was hooked!”
Amber now holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and a Master of Physical Therapy degree from The University of Iowa.
She has experience in working in hospital settings, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient orthopedics.
She enjoys working with patients of all ages in general orthopedic rehabilitation as well as patients with vestibular dysfunction, BPPV, and balance disorders.
When she is not working, Amber likes hiking, visiting historic sites/museums, traveling, and watching movies with her family. Her family has been involved with the friendship partner program with UVA international students for many years and has had a great time getting to know people from all over the world. Her oldest daughter lives in Austria, so they have been accumulating some frequent flyer miles!
Specialization: Orthopedic related injuries including pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, TMD (jaw pain), cervical dysfunctions and balance disorders. Joint Replacements
Anne DeJong always knew she would work in the field of health care. Her interest in science and sports coupled with her joy in working with people and helping them led her to center on Physical Therapy.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1989 with a Bachelor of Physical Therapy.
She worked for more than 20 years in a variety of settings including home care, hospital rehabilitation settings, orthopedics and general medical surgical.
For the past 15 years she has worked primarily in outpatient orthopedics in clinics in the United States and Singapore.
Anne enjoys working with patients of all ages. Her specialization now is in orthopedic related injuries including pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, TMD (jaw pain), cervical dysfunctions, balance disorders and joint replacements.
In her spare time, she likes to hike with her dogs, play or coach volleyball, and watch her children participate in their sports and activities.
PT, MSPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist - Vestibular disorders, Vertigo, Disequilibrium, Fall prevention, General strengthening & conditioning
Specialization:- Central and peripheral vestibular disorders, Dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium. Multifactorial balance impairment. Fall prevention. General strengthening and conditioning
Anne earned her undergraduate degree in anthropology and went on to graduate studies in physical therapy at the University of Miami. After beginning her career in Seattle,Washington she relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1994. She is an American Physical Therapy Association board certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy with a special interest in working with individuals who have vestibular and balance disorders.
Since relocating to Charlottesville Anne has developed the Vestibular Balance Clinic at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and has collaborated with University of Virginia in caring for this important patient population. She has prioritized providing clinical education for vestibular rehabilitation with specialized Internships established with graduate programs in Physical Therapy.
She has contributed to community education with presentations on dizziness, vertigo, osteoporosis, fall prevention, age-related bias in healthcare, and balance. She has served on The American Physical Therapy Association's critical appraisal team for the development of the vestibular hypofunction clinical practice guidelines of 2020, on the Special Academy of Experts for the development of the clinical specialist examination in geriatrics, and as a reviewer for specialization applications.
Anne enjoys spending time with her family, exercising with friends, traveling, and enjoying the great outdoor activities that Charlottesville has to offer.
PT, DPT, AIB-VRC - vestibular rehabilitation (vertigo/BPPV), balance and fall risk, general orthopedics and sports injuries with special interests in foot and ankle dysfunction, post-surgical rehabilitation
Specialization: vestibular rehabilitation (vertigo/BPPV), balance and fall risk, general orthopedics and sports injuries with special interests in foot and ankle dysfunction, post-surgical rehabilitation. Vestibular and concussion certification.
Katelyn is a Louisa County native. She attended the University of Virginia (UVA) and received her B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology in 2017. At UVA, she was a four-year member of the All-Girl Varsity Cheerleading Squad and spent many hours at Scott Stadium and John Paul Jones Arena rooting for the 'Hoos (and still does!). Following an ankle injury and surgical reconstruction, she first started at PT@acac as a patient and student volunteer, and then joined the team as a Therapy Extender.
Katelyn received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2021. In her final year, she completed rotations in general outpatient orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation, and inpatient neurological rehabilitation with a specialization in stroke recovery. After kick-starting her career in the Newport News area, she is now back "home."
In her free time, you'll find Katelyn attempting DIY projects, drawing/painting, taking pictures of her pup, and spending time with her friends and family. Sometimes you'll catch her trying new recipes, but only while binging episodes of New Girl.
MPT - Clinic Manager, General orthopedics, Joint replacements, Pediatrics, Neurological rehab, Treatment of swimmers, Post-surgical rehab, Vestibular
MPT
Specialization: Treatment of Pediatrics/Pediatric sports medicine, vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation and general orthopedics
Jennifer Fontaine’s career choice to be a physical therapist stems back to her volunteering experience at the University of Virginia’s spinal cord unit.
She had been alternating between PT and medical doctor and her observances at the unit proved the deciding factor.
“I worked with several young spinal cord patients and saw the difference in their interactions with their docs versus their PTs. The docs had to tell them the list of all the things that they would not be able to do again. The PTs were able to give them all the alternatives of what they would still be able to do for themselves. I liked being on the positive side of that equation.”
Fuelled with her mission, Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1996 from the University of Virginia. She then received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1999.
She is experienced in pediatric rehabilitation including brain/spinal cord injuries as well as developmental therapy. She now specializes in treatment of pediatrics/ pediatric sports medicine, vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation and general orthopedics.
In addition, she has spent time at Kluge Children’s Rehab Center (UVA).
When she is not working, Jennifer enjoys reading, being outdoors, hiking and playing with her children.
Sam is a generalist physical therapist who has been involved in physical medicine since becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2013 (ATC credentialing since retired). He has a special interest in a variety of different orthopedic, neurological, and other topics related to healing and recovery from injury, with the ability to work with patients of all different types and backgrounds.
Immediately following graduation from PT school in 2018, Sam worked in a small community hospital system, which allowed for exposure to multiple PT settings, with acute care, sub-acute care, and outpatient experience combined in one position. This allowed him to gain experience with a diverse population, having worked with people across the spectrum of medicine, from Division I NCAA athletes to hospitalized, medically complex patients.
n addition to his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Sam has a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, and a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, which gives him a unique perspective with regard to healing and recovery. To Sam, the patient is the priority, and his goal is to restore each person back to doing the things that they love as quickly as is possible. His approach is function based, with each therapy program being specifically designed and tailored to address the needs and goals of the individual patient.
Sam recently moved from Hampton Roads with his family to the Waynesboro area due to a love for the mountains and the outdoors, and a desire to become a part of a community that embraces the same.
Specialization: General orthopedic rehabilitation after injury or surgery with a special interest in vestibular rehabilitation and balance disorders
Myers was always interested in science and how it impacted people’s lives for the better, but it wasn’t until completing her freshman year at college that she decided to forego her plan to be a high school science teacher and turn to the field of Physical Therapy instead.
“I sat down with my dad, the health professions advisor at the colleg...
Specialization: Orthopedic related injuries including pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, TMD (jaw pain), cervical dysfunctions and balance disorders. Joint Replacements
Anne DeJong always knew she would work in the field of health care. Her interest in science and sports coupled with her joy in working with people and helping them led her to center on Physical Therapy.
She graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1989 with a Bachelor of Physical Therapy.
She worked ...
PT, MSPT, Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist - Vestibular disorders, Vertigo, Disequilibrium, Fall prevention, General strengthening & conditioning
Specialization:- Central and peripheral vestibular disorders, Dizziness, vertigo, and disequilibrium. Multifactorial balance impairment. Fall prevention. General strengthening and conditioning
Anne earned her undergraduate degree in anthropology and went on to graduate studies in physical therapy at the University of Miami. After beginning her career in Seattle,Washington she relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1994. She is an American Physical Therapy Association board certified clinical...
PT, DPT, AIB-VRC - vestibular rehabilitation (vertigo/BPPV), balance and fall risk, general orthopedics and sports injuries with special interests in foot and ankle dysfunction, post-surgical rehabilitation
Specialization: vestibular rehabilitation (vertigo/BPPV), balance and fall risk, general orthopedics and sports injuries with special interests in foot and ankle dysfunction, post-surgical rehabilitation. Vestibular and concussion certification.
Katelyn is a Louisa County native. She attended the University of Virginia (UVA) and received her B.S.Ed. in Kinesiology in 2017. At UVA, she was a four-year member of the All-Girl Varsity Cheerleading Squad and spent many hours at Scott Stadium and Jo...
MPT - Clinic Manager, General orthopedics, Joint replacements, Pediatrics, Neurological rehab, Treatment of swimmers, Post-surgical rehab, Vestibular
Specialization: Treatment of Pediatrics/Pediatric sports medicine, vestibular and neurologic rehabilitation and general orthopedics
Jennifer Fontaine’s career choice to be a physical therapist stems back to her volunteering experience at the University of Virginia’s spinal cord unit.
She had been alternating between PT and medical doctor and her observances at the unit proved the deciding factor.
“I worked with several young spinal cord patients and saw the difference in their interact...
Specialization: General Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Vestibular & Balance, Neurological Conditions, Chronic pain
Sam is a generalist physical therapist who has been involved in physical medicine since becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2013 (ATC credentialing since retired). He has a special interest in a variety of different orthopedic, neurological, and other topics related to healing and recovery from injury, with the ability to work with patients of all different types and background...
During your evaluation we will perform neuromuscular, oculomotor, positioning and balance assessments to then develop an individualized program that focuses on your specific needs.
Request an appointment at acacpt.com/appointment or find your nearest clinic location at acacpt.com/locations