Brain & Balance Center
Back on your feet, one step at a time.
Treatment across a range of specialties
The Brain and Balance Center in Frederick, MD provides skilled physical, occupational, and speech therapy to clients across a wide range of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), vestibular impairments, concussion management and other conditions affecting cognition and balance. Our clinicians are also specifically trained to treat orthopedic conditions including joint replacement rehabilitation and other conditions affecting children, adults and seniors. We also offer dry needling for pain management.
Commitment to 1-on-1 Care
Our neurologic, geriatric and orthopedic certified specialists, use of state-of-the-art technology, and commitment to 1-on-1 care make the Brain and Balance Center the region’s most advanced neuro rehab center. Therapists on staff are committed to helping each patient reach their optimal level of function and are deeply vested in the success of our clients. We accept most insurance plans including Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and others.
About Our Center
Grateful Patient Fund
We Provide Treatment For
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Aphasia
- Autism
- Back/Pelvic Pain
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Pain
- Cognitive Impairments
- Concussion
- Developmental Delay
- Dizziness and Balance Disorders
- Dysphagia Hypotonia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Low Vision
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Neck Pain
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Rib Pain/Dysfunction
- Scoliosis
- Sensory Integration Dysfunction
- Shoulder/Arm/Hand Pain or Dysfunction
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Vestibular Disorders
State-of-the-Art Equipment
Spirit MT200
- Gait Assessment and retraining
- Parkinson’s and Stroke gait retraining
NeuroCom® Balance Master® System
- Balance Training
- Concussion Management
- Fall Prevention
- Vestibular Therapy
Solo-Step Overhead Track And Harness System
- Gait Assessment
- Balance Training
- Strength Training
ProPrio 5000 Reactive Balance System
- Reactive Balance Training
- Anticipatory Balance Training
- Dual and Multiple Task Retraining
Bioness Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
- Neurological Re-education
- Neuromuscular Activation
Bioness Integrated Therapy System
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
- Cognitive Challenge with Balance Retraining
VitalStim® Therapy System
- Treatment for dysphagia
Physical Therapy
- Gait & Balance Training
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) rehab
- Treatment for Neurodegenerative diseases
- Muscle Strengthening and conditioning
- Assistive Device Training
- Treatment of chronic pain
- Vestibular therapy for dizziness
- Injury Screenings
- Pre/post surgical joint and spine rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy
- Self-care Skills and management training
- Home management techniques
- Modification techniques
- Low Vision training
- Hand therapy
- Adaptive Equipment evaluations
- Adaptive Equipment Training
- Home safety assessments
- Dementia Assessments
Speech Therapy
- Language, Communication and comprehensive re-training
- Cognitive remediation of attention, memory and problem solving
- VitalStim and LSVT LOUD therapy
- Treatment of swallowing and voice difficulties
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Cognitive rehabilitation is designed to help brain-injured and cognitively impaired individuals regain functioning and compensate for cognitive deficiencies. It can help reduce further disability and address the negative, secondary responses to the situation, including loss of self-esteem and self-confidence, or depression.
Cognitive rehabilitation therapists at the Brain and Balance Center follow a system of activities aimed at reinforcing previously learned behavioral patterns, creating new patterns of cognitive activity, and enabling a person to adapt to their cognitive disability to improve their overall functioning.
Directions to our Brain & Balance Center
From North
- Head South on US-15 toward Frederick
- Take Exit 16 for Motter Ave
- Turn Left onto Opossumtown Pike
- Turn Right into the Amber Meadows Shopping Center
From South
- Head North on I-270
- Continue North on US-15 toward Gettysburg
- Take Exit 16 for Motter Ave
- Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Opossumtown Pike and merge onto Motter Ave
- Turn Right into the Amber Meadows Shopping Center
Meet Our Brain & Balance Staff
Monica Armagost, PT
Physical Therapist
Monica has been a physical therapist for 25 years. She graduated from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Therapy. Monica has worked in several settings, beginning with acute care at Shady Grove hospital followed by many years in the rehab setting before moving into home health. Monica enjoys treating patients with various neurological diagnoses as well as post-operative joint replacements and focuses her treatments on gaining functional movement. Monica is married with three teenage children and has two sweet pups. She lives in Mt. Airy and is a huge Washington Caps fan and unfortunately, a Redskins fan too.
Sandi Lancaster, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sandi has been working as a speech pathologist for over 20 years across a number of settings including outpatient rehab, inpatient rehab, private practices, subacute nursing facilities, and home health. She has extensive experience facilitating group therapy, and she has developed several community-based aphasia group programs as well. Her specialty areas are speech, language, and cognitive disorders, and she has a particular passion for working with individuals with aphasia. In her free time, Sandi likes to read novels, hike, play cards, and spend time with family and friends.
Lynn Brewer, PT
Physical Therapist
Lynn graduated from Shepherd University with a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree prior to attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where she earned a Master of Physical Therapy degree. She has extensive experience working in the outpatient setting treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal and orthopedic conditions. She has attended numerous courses to develop and expand her manual therapy skills which she consistently incorporates into her daily treatment sessions. She also has experience treating injured workers and developing appropriate Work Hardening programs to allow clients to safely and efficiently return to work. Lynn is committed to collaborating with her colleagues to provide exceptional care and services to the clients of Baker Rehab Group.
Pamela Walasik, OT
Occupational Therapist
As a licensed therapist with over 18 years of experience, Pam takes immense joy in witnessing the progress and growth of her clients and their families. Her dedication lies in empowering individuals to lead lives filled with independence and happiness. Certified in self-regulation and holding several certifications in fine motor, gross motor, visual motor integration, and sensory therapies, Pam is well-equipped to address a wide range of needs. She has worked in a variety of settings that include hospitals, home health, private clinic, neurology clinic, outpatient clinics, assisted living facilities and in schools, treating both children and adults. Outside of her professional life, she finds pleasure in activities such as kayaking, hiking, going to the beach, spending time with family and gardening. Her enthusiasm is palpable as she looks forward to making a significant difference in the lives of the clients she serves.
Megan Leisinger, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Megan has been a PTA since 2019 when she graduated from Carroll Community College with her AA degree. She specializes in treating patients with Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders, and is certified in LSVT BIG. Additionally, Megan has experience treating post-operative joint replacements, neck and back pain, and balance deficits. In her spare time, Megan enjoys volunteering at her church and taking care of her various farm animals.