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Eric graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Portland State University in 2016. He worked in the psychology field as a residential treatment specialist, serving to assist in the rehabilitation of adults living with severe mental illness transitioning from the state hospital to semi-independent living. In 2021, Eric received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Pacific University in Oregon. After graduation, Eric worked as a travel physical therapist in Oregon, Arizona, and California at outpatient orthopedic clinics.

He now joins Bellingham Physical Therapy to combine his passion for rehabilitation in both mind and body to treat each patient holistically while addressing their musculoskeletal and neurological concerns.

What conditions does Eric treat?

Eric was trained in the Maitland Approach of Orthopedic Manual Therapy which utilizes joint mobilization and manipulation of the extremities and spine, neurodynamic techniques, stretching, stabilizing exercises, and functional exercises specific to each individual. As a result, Eric is able to treat all orthopedic conditions of the extremities as well as the spine that include but are not limited to acute injuries, pre and post-surgical rehab, age related joint pain, and chronic pain.

In addition to all orthopedic conditions, Eric works with some neurologic conditions. He treats individuals that have sustained a concussion (also known as mild TBI) and vestibular related conditions.

Is concussion rehabilitation right for me?

There are many concussion related symptoms which can greatly affect your physical, emotional, and mental health. Symptoms include but are not limited to headache, imbalance, dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, confusion, difficulty concentrating, depression, and agitation. When these symptoms last for a few weeks after the initial concussion, it is often referred to as post-concussion syndrome. If left unaddressed, these symptoms can last for months to years. A physical therapist can help to alleviate symptoms and aide in quicker recovery from these symptoms.  

A physical therapy examination will assess the neurological, orthopedic, or cardiovascular symptoms that are occurring as a result of post-concussion syndrome. The physical therapist will then provide education, manual treatment, therapeutic exercises, and/or vestibular exercises based on these symptoms. Whether you are trying to return to sport, return to work, or generally return to living life, physical therapy may be able to get you back to these activities expeditiously.  

Is vestibular rehabilitation right for me? 

If you are feeling dizzy or off balance, you may have an inner ear or vestibular issue. After the initial evaluation, a PT will determine whether or not vestibular therapy is indicated for you. Vestibular therapy is directed at assessing what the sources of your dizziness or balance issues are and addressing them with specific treatments based on your diagnosis. The treatments are designed to improve your balance and move your head and body freely without an increase in dizziness or vertigo. Vestibular related symptoms can impact your daily life in a significant way and our goal is to get you back to living your life without apprehension or fear of movement.  

A physical therapist can help to diagnose and treat BPPV, cervicogenic dizziness, PPPD (Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness), vestibular nerve hypofunction, vestibular migraine and post-surgical acoustic neuroma. Other vestibular related conditions, such as superior canal dehiscence, Meniere’s disease, and nestibular neuritis will require a referral to another specialist. In some cases, your neurologist, otolaryngologist, audiologist, or primary care physician will work in conjunction with a physical therapist in order to properly diagnose and treat the condition.    

If any of these sound like you, give us a call to schedule your appointment with Eric today!

References

https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-concussion

https://vestibular.org/article/diagnosis-treatment/types-of-vestibular-disorders/