Courtney L. Gilbert, PT, DPT, AIB VR/CON

Who is Courtney L. Gilbert, PT, DPT, AIB VR/CON?

Courtney L. Gilbert is a doctor of physical therapy and certified personal trainer who has been listed
as a medical advisor/medical reviewer for major consumer health sites. In her public professional bio, she’s described as
specializing in treating people from youth through older adulthood with orthopedic and vestibular impairments.
She’s also described as a clinic manager and practicing physical therapist at Athletico in Chicago, Illinois, and as the
owner of a personal training company called Grind 2 the Goal.

In plain English: her background points to a blend of hands-on rehab (physical therapy), movement coaching (fitness),
and specialized balance/concussion training (AIB VR/CON). That combination matters because dizziness and post-concussion
symptoms often sit at the crossroads of the inner ear, the eyes, the neck, the brain, and your overall conditioningaka
“the intersection where multiple systems argue and you just want to walk through Target without feeling like you’re on a boat.”

Decoding the credentials (without the boring part)

PT: Physical Therapist

PT means physical therapist. In the U.S., PTs are licensed clinicians trained to evaluate movement, reduce pain,
improve function, and help people recover from injuries and medical conditions. PTs don’t just hand you a resistance band
and wish you luckthey’re trained to test, treat, and progress you based on how your body responds over time.

DPT: Doctor of Physical Therapy

DPT indicates a doctoral-level professional degree in physical therapy. In Courtney Gilbert’s public bio, her education
is listed as Northwestern University (DPT) and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BS).
A DPT program includes advanced training in clinical reasoning, anatomy, neurology, musculoskeletal care, and evidence-based practice.

AIB VR/CON: Vestibular Rehab + Concussion training/certification

AIB VR/CON is a credential format you’ll see associated with vestibular rehabilitation and concussion-focused coursework/certification
connected to the American Institute of Balance. Depending on the program listing, you may also see related credential labels (for example, AIB
vestibular rehabilitation credentials) and “Vestibular Rehabilitation & Concussion” workshop/certification titles.

The practical takeaway: it signals additional training in assessing and treating dizziness, vertigo, balance problems,
and symptoms that may show up after a concussionoften including gaze instability, motion sensitivity, and difficulty tolerating busy visual environments.
Think: “I’m fine until I look up, turn quickly, walk in a grocery store aisle, or attempt life.”

One important nuance: a certification is not a magic wand. It doesn’t replace a full medical workup when needed, and it doesn’t mean every case is purely “vestibular.”
But it can indicate a clinician has pursued deeper training and structured testing methods for these specific problems.

Why vestibular rehab matters (and why dizziness is not “just in your head”)

The vestibular systemlargely housed in the inner ear and integrated with your vision and proprioception (your body’s position sense)helps you stay oriented,
stabilize your gaze, and keep your balance. When the system misfires, you may feel:

• Spinning or vertigo
• Unsteadiness or “walking like the floor is made of pudding”
• Motion sensitivity (car rides, scrolling, crowds, store aisles)
• Blurred vision when moving your head (gaze instability)
• Nausea, fatigue, and brain fog that show up like unwanted party guests

Evidence-based vestibular physical therapy is commonly recommended for certain vestibular problems, including peripheral vestibular hypofunction (when inner ear balance
signals are reduced on one or both sides). Clinical practice guidelines and summaries used by PT organizations support vestibular rehabilitation to reduce symptoms and improve
function in appropriate patients.

The concussion connection: why balance and dizziness often show up after a hit

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can affect brain function for a period of time. Symptoms can include headaches, difficulty concentrating,
sensitivity to light/sound, sleep changes, andyesdizziness and balance problems.

Here’s why this matters: after a concussion, symptoms may involve the brain’s processing, the vestibular system, the visual system, and the neck. That’s why a thoughtful
plan sometimes includes a team approachprimary care or sports medicine, possibly neurology, and rehabilitation clinicians like PTs who can address movement-based contributors.

Return to activity should be staged, not heroic

Modern concussion guidance commonly emphasizes a gradual return to school, work, and sport with clinical oversightrather than “rest forever in a dark room”
or “run it off.” For athletes, staged return-to-play progressions are widely used, typically requiring symptom monitoring and stepwise increases in activity under a healthcare
provider’s direction.

Translation: you don’t win an award for rushing. Your brain does not care about your competitive spirit.

What a vestibular/concussion-trained PT evaluation may include

A good evaluation is part detective work, part science, and part “tell me exactly what you mean by dizzy.” (Because “dizzy” can mean spinning, faint, off-balance,
floaty, woozy, or “I stood up and my soul briefly left my body.”)

Common assessment pieces

• Symptom history: triggers, timing, duration, and what makes it better or worse
• Balance and gait testing: how you walk, turn, and recover from small challenges
• Oculomotor and gaze testing: how your eyes track and stabilize during head movement
• Positional tests: to check for BPPV (a common cause of positional vertigo)
• Neck screen: because cervicogenic dizziness and post-concussion neck issues can overlap
• Function goals: driving, sports, school, work, caregiving, stairs, shoppingyour actual life

Common treatment tools (customized to the diagnosis)

• Canalith repositioning (like the Epley maneuver) for BPPV when appropriate
• Gaze stabilization exercises to reduce blur and improve vestibular-ocular control
• Habituation training for motion sensitivity (graded exposure, not “tough it out”)
• Balance and gait training to rebuild confidence and reduce fall risk
• Conditioning and strength work to restore overall tolerance and resilience
• Education + pacing so you progress without triggering symptom flare-ups all day long

The best plans are specific. “Do balance stuff” is not a plan. A plan looks like: what to do, how much, how often,
how to monitor symptoms, and when to progress.

Specific examples: what progress can look like

Every case is different, and the examples below are composites (not real patients). They’re here to make the process more concrete.

Example 1: “The grocery store is my final boss”

A person develops dizziness and nausea in visually busy environments (stores, traffic, scrolling). Their plan may start with short, controlled exposure plus gaze stability
drills, then gradually build duration and complexitylike leveling up in a video game, except the boss is fluorescent lighting.

Example 2: Post-concussion dizziness and neck stiffness

After a concussion, a student athlete has headaches, dizziness with quick head turns, and neck tightness. PT may combine graded aerobic activity guidance, vestibular exercises,
and cervical mobility/strength workcoordinated with medical clearance and a stepwise return to sport.

Example 3: BPPV (positional vertigo) that feels like spinning

An older adult feels spinning when rolling in bed. Testing suggests BPPV. Treatment may include a canalith repositioning maneuver and follow-up balance work, plus education
on what to do if symptoms recur.

Example 4: Orthopedic injury + balance confidence crash

After an ankle sprain, someone feels unstable and avoids movement. A PT who also thinks about balance and sensory integration may rebuild strength and stability while
reintroducing dynamic balance taskshelping the person trust their body again.

How to choose the right PT for dizziness, balance, or concussion recovery

If you’re looking for a clinician with expertise similar to someone using AIB VR/CON credentials, here are smart questions to askwithout sounding like you’re interviewing
for a reality show.

• Do you regularly treat vestibular conditions? (Not “have you heard of dizziness.”)
• Do you assess for BPPV and perform repositioning maneuvers?
• How do you individualize home exercises and progress them?
• For concussions, do you coordinate with medical providers and use staged return-to-activity principles?
• How do you handle symptom flare-ups? (You want “plan,” not “shrug.”)

Bonus tip: if a clinic promises a one-size-fits-all “3 visits and you’re cured” plan for every dizzy patient, take that promise with a large grain of vestibular salt.
Good care is personalized.

Red flags: when to seek urgent medical care

Many dizziness and concussion-related symptoms improve with appropriate care, but some situations need urgent evaluation. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience
sudden severe symptoms such as significant weakness, difficulty speaking, new severe confusion, or other rapidly worsening neurological signsespecially after a head injury.
When in doubt, get checked.

Bottom line

Courtney L. Gilbert’s listed credentialsPT, DPT, AIB VR/CONsignal a blend of doctoral-level physical therapy training plus additional vestibular and concussion-focused
education. For many people, that combination lines up with the exact mix of problems that make daily life feel weird: dizziness, motion sensitivity, unsteady walking, post-concussion
balance issues, and the “why does my brain hate escalators?” mystery.

If you’re dealing with dizziness or concussion symptoms, the most helpful next step is often a proper evaluationso treatment targets the real driver (inner ear, eyes, neck, brain processing,
conditioning, or a combo). You deserve a plan that’s specific, progressive, and built around your lifenot one that ends with “try not to move your head ever again.”

Experiences related to “Courtney L. Gilbert, PT, DPT, AIB VR/CON” (Extended)

When people talk about vestibular rehab or post-concussion PT, they often expect dramatic, movie-style breakthroughs: one session, one magical exercise, and suddenly you’re sprinting
through a crowded mall like you’re auditioning for a commercial. Real experiences are usually quieterand honestly, more impressivebecause progress often shows up as tiny wins that stack.

One common experience patients describe is the relief of finally having their symptoms named. “Dizzy” can feel vague and scary, especially when imaging looks normal and friends
(well-meaning, but unhelpful) suggest you “just drink more water.” A vestibular-trained PT typically starts by translating chaos into categories: spinning versus lightheadedness, positional
triggers versus motion sensitivity, eye-driven symptoms versus neck-driven symptoms. For many people, that first session is the moment dizziness stops feeling like a personal failing and starts
feeling like a solvable puzzle.

Another frequent experience is learning that good rehab can be a little… annoying. Not because it hurts, but because it asks you to do the exact movements you’ve been avoiding. If turning your
head makes the room wobble, vestibular exercises may involve controlled head turns. If scrolling makes you nauseated, therapy may include graded visual exposure. The trick is dosage. Great clinicians
don’t throw you into a symptom tornado. They help you find the “challenge zone”enough to drive adaptation, not so much that you spend the rest of the day regretting your choices.

For people recovering from concussion, a common experience is realizing recovery isn’t just about restit’s about smart rest plus graded activity. Many patients report that too much
inactivity makes them feel worse over time: sleep gets messy, mood dips, tolerance for screens and school/work drops, and the body deconditions quickly. Structured rehab can feel like a roadmap out of the
fog: short walks become longer walks, light cardio becomes moderate cardio, and balance drills become sport-specific movementeach step guided by symptoms and medical clearance.

Clinicians who combine PT and fitness perspectives (like someone who is also a certified personal trainer) often see another pattern: confidence changes before symptoms fully disappear. Patients might still
have mild dizziness in challenging situations, but they’re no longer afraid of it. They know what triggers it, what calms it, and how to respond. That shiftmoving from “I’m broken” to “I’m managing”is huge.
It’s also one reason home programs matter so much. The best outcomes tend to happen when people practice consistently, track symptoms honestly, and treat exercises like training rather than punishment.

There’s also an emotional experience that doesn’t get enough airtime: dizziness can be isolating. People skip social events, avoid driving, and feel embarrassed explaining why fluorescent lights and crowded
restaurants are suddenly a problem. Many patients describe vestibular rehab as the first time they felt understoodnot dismissed. A clinician who can say, “Yes, the grocery store can absolutely
trigger symptoms, and no, you’re not being dramatic,” can change the entire tone of recovery.

Finally, there’s the experience of learning to think long-term. Vestibular and concussion rehab often teaches skills you keep: pacing, warm-ups, gaze strategies, balance drills, neck maintenance, and
conditioning habits. Even when symptoms resolve, patients frequently keep one or two “reset” exercises in their back pocketlike having a spare key. Not because they expect problems, but because they’ve learned
how adaptable the nervous system can be when you give it the right inputs.

If you’re reading this because the letters “AIB VR/CON” caught your eye, here’s the most practical takeaway: specialized training mattersbut your daily experience matters more. The right provider will connect
credentials to a plan that fits your reality: your schedule, your triggers, your goals, and your nervous system’s pace. That’s where recovery stops being theoretical and starts being something you can actually
feelone steady step at a time.