Vertigo Treatment

Vertigo Treatment

Get back to the activities you love with personalized vertigo treatment in St. Louis

Vertigo treatment in Greater St. Louis. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can make you lose your sense of presence in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of St. Louis physical and occupational therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and return to the activities you love, free from the constraints of vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in St. Louis because if a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, Axes is here to help. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to start getting your best you back today.

Understanding Vertigo

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, or it seems like the environment around you is moving. Anyone who’s suffered from vertigo will tell you it’s much more than just being light-headed. It’s a specific kind of dizziness that’s typically triggered by changes in the position of your head, inner ear problems, stroke, a brain tumor, or other conditions affecting the brain.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is often a symptom of various disorders affecting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that process sensory information involved in controlling balance and eye movements. Here are some of the most common causes of vertigo:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV disrupts these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
  • Meniere’s Disease: This is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid buildup in the inner ear causes pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and balance problems.
  • Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines experience episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
  • Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop immediately or sometime after the injury.
  • Other Causes: Less commonly, vertigo can be a symptom of a more serious neurological problem (such as a stroke or brain tumor), certain medications that cause ear damage, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it allows our St. Louis physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that address the specific source of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Treatment in St. Louis | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo

Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo can also be accompanied by several other symptoms besides dizziness, varying in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:

  • Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
  • Balance Problems: Difficulty in maintaining balance, increasing the risk of falls, especially in elderly individuals.
  • Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in one or both ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
  • Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss can be a symptom.
  • Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
  • Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
  • Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion or changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in St. Louis. It typically involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our St. Louis physical therapists, specialized in vestibular rehabilitation, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can come to Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.

St. Louis Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in St. Louis, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques help reposition particles in the ears that cause dizziness and improve balance. Our St. Louis physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique disorder. That may include the treatment of acute conditions such as BPPV, as well as ongoing management of chronic conditions such as dizziness, imbalance, and vestibular hypofunction.

Your vertigo treatment plan in St. Louis may include:

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized form of therapy aimed at alleviating both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises designed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
    • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to improve vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. An example is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus on a small target at eye level. As you keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This helps train your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
    • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help improve steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and progress to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
    • Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who experience dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of reducing the sensitivity of the brain to these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
  • Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is a gentle procedure that helps to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear back to their correct position, relieving the dizzy spells associated with this condition.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our St. Louis physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in St. Louis

Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for St. Louis individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

  • Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled St. Louis physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
  • Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in St. Louis. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviate symptoms, improve balance, restore normal function, get you back to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
  • Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our St. Louis patients are at the heart of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
  • Accessibility: With multiple locations throughout the greater St. Louis area, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is within reach for those in need.

For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | St. Louis Physical Therapy

Vertigo can significantly impact your quality of life, keeping you from doing the things you love most, and even making simple tasks like walking up the stairs seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients regain their balance and confidence.

If you’re experiencing vertigo or related symptoms, remember that you’re not alone. Contact Axes Physical Therapy today to learn more about how their vestibular therapy services can help you navigate the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.

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