Physical Therapists in Farmington Hills, MI

Physical Therapy & Beyond at Michigan Ear Institute

Physical Therapy & Beyond is unlike any therapy center you’ve been to before. At Physical Therapy & Beyond, our highly skilled, compassionate team of physical therapists are 100% focused on achieving optimal health and wellness for you so you can get back to living the life you enjoy. Unlike other therapy centers, you will receive a specific program designed uniquely for you. NO ‘one program fits all’ here. There is NO other you!

Physical Therapy & Beyond, Therapy and Balance Center therapists take a whole-body approach to consider various issues that may contribute to imbalances, and they provide intensive one-on-one care to help you achieve the greatest independence possible.

At Physical Therapy & Beyond, you will receive hands-on therapy treatments by our friendly, caring health experts during focused and individualized sessions.

Farmington Hills Location

Providence Medical Building

30055 Northwestern Highway, #105
Farmington Hills, MI 48334

(248) 865-4148
(248) 865-4129

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It’s time to get Physical Therapy if:

You’re tired of living in pain
You just want to feel better and move better
You want to overcome a balance disorder or neurological condition
You have been in an auto accident or injured on the job

Whatever ailment brings you to Physical Therapy & Beyond, our therapists can help decrease your pain, restore your mobility and ensure your independence! You may be able to avoid surgery or prescription medications!

As one of the premier dizziness and balance physical therapy centers, MEI offers specialized physical therapy services including:

Balance & Vestibular Programs
CranioSacral Therapy
Manual Therapy
Fitness & Wellness
Auto Injury Recovery

Physical Therapy & Beyond will help you get better and love your life again.

What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of the CranioSacral system – the physiological body system comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners evaluate and release restrictions in the CranioSacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system and potentially every other system with which it interacts.

CranioSacral Therapy was developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger, DO, OMM, following extensive research from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.

CranioSacral Therapy enhances/complements the body’s natural healing processes to improve functioning of the central nervous system, dissipate the negative effects of stress, enhance health, and bolster resistance to disease. Being such a gentle approach, CST has proven to be effective for all ages, from newborns to elderly.

Some of the medical conditions for which CST has shown to be effective / alleviate symptoms are:

Migraine Headaches
Concussions / Traumatic Brain Injuries
Orthopedic Problems
Learning Disabilities
Chronic Fatigue
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Fibromyalgia and other Connective Tissue Disorders
Stress and Tension-Related Problems

Infantile Disorders (e.g. Torticollis, Latching problems)
Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Post-Surgical Pain/Dysfunctions
Scoliosis
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Central Nervous System Disorders
TMJ Dysfunction

CST is intended to complement, not replace, your physician’s medical advice & care.

Physical Therapy & Beyond is now offering CranioSacral Therapy sessions. Please call 248-865-4148 for appointments or to contact our therapist for more information.

Patient Education Fact Sheets

The following patient education is provided by Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy.

TMJ Patients

Physical Therapist’s Guide to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.

Vestibular Exercises

Vestibular compensation is a process that allows the brain to regain balance control and minimize dizziness symptoms when there is damage to, or an imbalance between, the right and left vestibular organs (balance organs) in the inner ear. Essentially, the brain copes with the disorientating signals coming from the inner ears by learning to rely more on alternative signals coming from the eyes, ankles, legs and neck to maintain balance.

Each person is affected differently by dizziness and balance problems and you should speak with your physician for individual advice. This information on vestibular rehabilitation exercises is designed as general introduction for people with dizziness and balance problems aimed at reducing uncertainty and anxiety by providing clear, concise, accurate and helpful information. It is not a comprehensive list nor is intended to replace the advice from your specialist or individualized therapy treatment programs.

You should be assessed for an individualized exercise program to ensure you are doing the appropriate exercises. As a general rule, you should build up gradually from one set of exercises to the next, spending no more than one to two minutes on each exercise. Always rest in between exercises to allow your symptoms to return to baseline. You might find that your dizziness problems get worse for a few days after you start the exercises, but you should persevere with them.

The exercises may be recommended in bed, sitting, standing or when moving/walking on various surfaces.

Make sure that you are in a safe environment before you start any exercise to reduce the risk of injury. Do not complete any exercises if you feel that you are at risk of falling without safety measures in place to prevent injury.

It is also important to note that you may experience mild dizziness whilst doing these exercises. This is completely normal. The exercises should be completed slowly at first. As the exercise becomes easier over time you can start to do them more quickly.

Vestibular / Balance Exercises

Vestibular exercises might include the following:

Eye, head and shoulder movements
Bending forwards and backwards & turning from side to side
Change from a sitting to a standing position with eyes open, then closed (please note this is not advised for the elderly with postural hypotension)
Standing with feet together with eyes open, then progressing to eyes closed
Throw a ball from hand to hand above eye level, / Throw and catch a ball
Walk up and down a slope / steps / over various surfaces to challenge your balance
Higher level activities that will challenge your balance further

Gaze Stabilization Exercises

Vestibular exercises might include the following:

The aim of gaze stabilization exercises is to improve vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head/body is moving. Your therapist will determine which exercises are suitable for you.

Your target for focus should be a letter or a number. It is crucial that the target stays in focus during exercise. These gaze stabilization exercises may be done at an intensity which brings on mild to moderate symptoms. If you get too dizzy, slow down.

Progressions with this exercise can include placing the target letter on a busy background or if doing exercise whilst seated, then move on to standing. Your physical therapist will guide you through exercise progression as appropriate for your individual situation /level of performance.

Brandt-Daroff Exercises

Sit on the edge of the bed and turn your head 45 degrees to one side.
Quickly lie down on your opposite side (to the left if you turned your head to the right, and vice versa) so that the back of your head behind your ear touches the bed.
Hold this position for about 30 seconds or until the dizziness symptoms stop.
Return to the sitting position.
Repeat steps 1-4 on the other side. You should repeat these steps three times on each side or until you have completed six repetitions.

Unless your specialist or PT has recommended otherwise, you should do the exercises two to three times a day for two weeks. These exercises are likely to make you feel dizzy whilst you perform them, but it is important to persevere in order to feel any benefit.

PLEASE NOTE: That you should not attempt any of these exercises without first seeing a specialist or physical therapist for a comprehensive assessment, advice and guidance. Some of these exercises will not be suitable for everyone, and some are only suitable for certain conditions.

Meet Our Physical Therapists

Binaifer Bugli PT, CST- D

Binaifer earned her degree in Physiotherapy in 1990 from the Bombay University, India. She is a licensed Physical Therapist in the state of Michigan & has worked in acute care, rehab & outpatient multidisciplinary clinics at St John Providence Health system, in Southfield & Novi, MI. She currently works at Physical Therapy & Beyond at Michigan Ear Institute in Farmington Hills, MI.

Binaifer is certified in Vestibular Rehabilitation (1998), is a CranioSacral Therapy practitioner since 1996 and currently holds a Diplomate (advanced) level certification in CranioSacral Therapy (CST) from the Upledger Institute. She is a certified instructor for the Upledger Institute & teaches CST for Pediatrics, CST-1 and introductory level classes in CST internationally. She is also a Clinical Instructor & mentors students enrolled in PT and PTA programs; conducts lectures / presentations for the community and other professionals in Falls Prevention, Vestibular Rehabilitation and CST. She routinely attends training programs & workshops to further her own education and training.

Binaifer brings over 25 years of experience in working with a mixed population of clients (newborns to geriatrics) presenting a variety of developmental, vestibular, orthopedic and neurological complaints; helping them overcome pain / limitations in their body, so patients can achieve their full functional potential.

In addition to Vestibular Rehabilitation & CranioSacral Therapy her treatment approaches incorporate various forms of Manual Therapy techniques, integrating a variety of traditional medical/rehabilitative practices with complementary techniques. She puts a strong emphasis on patient (and /or parent) education, and the development of individually designed treatment programs.

She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, Michigan PT Association & the International Alliance of Healthcare Practitioners.

On a personal note, Binaifer enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 wonderful children & is blessed with a caring family and close friends who are like family to her.

Stephanie Betts PT, DPT

Stephanie earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008. Since that time she has worked in a wide range of outpatient and acute care settings. She has also earned her Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation and is a Certified Clinical Instructor for PT and PTA students. Stephanie is a life long learner and continues to attend lectures and conferences to further her professional growth and continue to offer her patients the most up to date interventions.

Outside of the clinic, Stephanie enjoys time spent with family and her dog, hiking, running, cycling, cooking, trying new restaurants and expanding her house plant collection.

Olga Dsouza, BSc, PTA

I earned my Associates Degree of Physical Therapy Assistant from Macomb Community College in 2018. Since that time I have experience working in an outpatient care setting. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Mumbai University, India. I also earned my Certificate in LSVT BIG and have training in Vestibular Rehabilitation.

Outside of the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, reading, and cooking.