Your Vestibular System

The vestibular system, located in your inner ear, is responsible for detecting and maintaining balance and spatial orientation. When properly functioning, you are not aware it exists, allowing for completion of simple daily tasks to be performed with ease. However when compromised, due to injury, aging, disease, and/or medication interactions, the intricate sensorimotor pathways are impaired, resulting in symptoms that may impact your everyday activities and movement tolerance.

  • Vertigo

    Dizziness

    Imbalance or falling

    Disequilibrium

    Lightheadedness or sensation of floating

    Disorientation

    Altered vision

    Nausea and/or vomitting

    Changes in hearing

  • Ménière disease

    Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

    Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)

    Labyrinthitis

    Vestibular neuritis

    Migraine and anxiety disorder related dizziness (to address motion sensitivity)

    Neurological disorders (Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis to address fall risk and motion sensitivity)

    Traumatic brain injury / Post-concussion syndrome

    Fall risk individuals

    Motion Sensitivity

    Acoustic neuroma (after resection)

    Cervicogenic dizziness (cervical spine affecting gaze stability and postural control)

BIO

Hi! I’m Dr. Jennifer Szymanski Mashaw, PT, DPT, owner and clinician behind Steady Motion Physical Therapy, PLLC. I have over 17 years of physical therapy practice experience in various settings within the Capital District, mainly caring for both vestibular and neurologic impairments as well as orthopedic and musculoskeletal based issues. For much of my career, I have worked in an outpatient PT clinic embracing a holistic musculoskeletal and neurorehabilitative approach to manage symptoms and conditions.

Many of my former patients with vestibular symptoms often asked, “How will I drive to my appointment if my main symptom is dizziness?” Seeing this safety issue, I decided to open Steady Motion PT as a mobile vestibular-based PT practice, to improve both the safety and comfort for my patients. Whether your goal is getting back to exercise after sustaining a concussion, walking safely through the grocery store with a balance or vestibular impairment, or getting out of bed without feeling vertigo, I am here to help you achieve your goals and teach you how to manage your symptoms.

Prior to becoming a physical therapist, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. I became a certified athletic trainer and was on staff for the Women’s Lacrosse and Volleyball teams while earning both Master and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Gannon University, also in Erie. Although now retired from athletic training, I feel that I bring my first hand injury prevention, on field emergency care, and rehabilitation knowledge into my holistic approach for current patient care.

Outside of treating patients, I play on a USTA tennis team (Go NETCHIX!). I love to go to live music shows and breweries with my husband and hike, ski and cheer on my two young daughters with their art, music and athletic skills.

Philosophy

I am committed to providing evidence-based, individualized and compassionate care to help manage symptoms of vestibular conditions. Whether you are an athlete with post-concussion symptoms, a motion-sensitive person who struggles to ride in a car, an individual challenged with movement that cause dizziness symptoms, I can help you. I believe in treating the whole person, not just the impairment or condition. I will take the time to listen to your concerns, thoroughly evaluate, and develop a customized treatment plan that focuses on your specific goals to optimize your performance and basic needs of daily living.