Lauryn Tacoronte

I came to HSS and specifically Dr. Emerald Lin after experiencing some alarming symptoms. Earlier this year (2019), I was suffering from dizziness, neck pain, near constant sinus pressure, inability to focus my gaze on objects and a feeling of something being "wrong" with my right eye. These symptoms had presented themselves after a couple of whiplash type incidents experienced while playing sports, specifically roller derby. For those of you unfamiliar with roller derby, it is a contact sport played (commonly) on a flat service while wearing body padding, a helmet, mouth guard and quad roller skates. It is high speed, high intensity, very real and very physical. It is not uncommon for roller derby athletes, as with most contact sport athletes, to experience injury, including head and neck injuries. Being a long time contact sports athlete, I am unfortunately no stranger to concussions or concussion-like symptoms.

The issues described above had worsen over the course of a few months and were starting to cause me great anxiety regarding the health of my brain/neck as well as difficulty at work and play. A fellow athlete in my roller derby league had seen Dr. Lin for a post-concussion assessment, had a great experience with HSS and Dr. Lin and recommended them. I was able to make an appointment and be seen within a matter of days. Dr. Lin was a godsend! She was calm, attentive, knowledgeable and patient with me. I bombarded her with questions and anxiety induced neuroses over my injury. Dr. Lin took her time explaining what she suspected was going on with me and outlined a treatment plan.

Dr. Lin diagnosed me with dizziness and convergence insufficiency. Finally! Someone knew what was going on with my brain and eye, was able to put a name to it and provide a treatment. I was prescribed physical therapy with Spear Physical Therapy and assigned to the marvelous Sarah Rodriguez - a therapist familiar with my issues and other issues of the vestibular system. After weeks of the strangest physical therapy I have ever been prescribed, massage therapy and checkups with Dr. Lin, I barely noticed any of my original symptoms. I had gone from experiencing bouts of dizziness while walking, constant sinus pressure, trouble focusing while reading, working, playing derby to nearly 100% symptom-free.

My treatment plan ended right before a large international roller derby tournament I was preparing for. I was able to play without worry and prepare myself physically for the long multi-game tournament weekend. Since my initial visits, I have continued to see Dr. Lin to check up on my progress. I'm happy to report things have tremendously improved. Dr. Lin has continued to share her knowledge of sports-related concussions, CTE, brain health and any other wacky question I've thrown her way. She's made me feel as if she understands my health, concussion history, love of contact sports and anxieties around being a lifelong contact sport athlete. I highly recommend both HSS and Dr. Emerald Lin for your sports health and continued wellness.

Photo of me, #5, by Emi Bk Photography.