Vertigo treatment in Antonia, MO. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond simply experiencing dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, heavily affecting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We target the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Antonia, MO 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 vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Antonia, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, you can trust in Axes. Reach out to the closest Axes location, contact us online, or request an appointment to begin the journey to reclaim your best self today.

Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where you might feel as though you’re moving when in fact you’re stationary, or it seems like the world around you is moving. Those who have experienced vertigo can attest it’s much worse than just light-headedness. It’s a specific kind of dizziness often induced 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 usually associated with various ailments affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages information about our position in the world around us. 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 small 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 vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear may result in dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear results in pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can affect balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear immediately or sometime after the injury.
• Other Causes: More rarely, 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in managing the condition, as it allows our Antonia, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

This condition can also present several additional symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in maintaining balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in one or both ears, which can occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then correct themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion, such as quick movements, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Antonia, MO. It often involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Antonia, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular therapy, have years of experience 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 Antonia, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can visit Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.

Antonia, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Antonia, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Antonia, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique situation. 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 Antonia, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment method intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises intended to retrain the brain to interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to better vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. A common technique is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus on a small target at eye level. As you maintain your focus fixed on the target, you slowly rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This assists teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for people with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple tasks 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 intended for those who experience dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle method that aims to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear to their correct position, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver involves specific head movements under the guidance of a professional, designed to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Antonia, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Antonia, MO

Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Antonia, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Antonia, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing individualized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Antonia, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Antonia, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Antonia, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

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

Other services we offer in Antonia, MO include:

• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Antonia, MO Physical Therapy

Vertigo can drastically affect your quality of life, keeping you from doing the things you love most, and even making simple tasks like walking up the stairs feel challenging. 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. Reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today to learn more about how their vestibular therapy services can assist you in managing the complexities of vertigo and return to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.