Vertigo treatment in Argentville, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; living with symptoms that are largely “in your head” can be even more frustrating as others aren’t able to see the outward signs of an injury. At Axes Physical Therapy in Argentville, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Argentville, 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 Argentville, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, Axes is here to help. Reach out to the closest Axes location, contact us online, or request an appointment to initiate your path to recovery 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 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 disorders influencing the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for managing information about our position in the world around us. Listed are a few of the most typical 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 communicates to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV alters these signals, causing vertigo.
- Meniere’s Disease: This condition 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, affecting hearing and balance.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation 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 who suffer from migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can influence balance and cause motion sickness.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest 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 affect the inner ear, or the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.
Recognizing the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it allows our Argentville, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions that directly address the specific source of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can realize more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
This condition can also come with several additional symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly individuals.
- Tinnitus: Humming or other noises in one or both ears, which can occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss can be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then realign themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Argentville, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Argentville, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Argentville, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can approach Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.
Argentville, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Argentville, 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 Argentville, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular circumstances. That could encompass 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 Argentville, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment method aimed at alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms 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 better vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. A common technique is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you fix your gaze on a small target at eye level. As you maintain your focus fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This assists conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object despite 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 taking heel-to-toe steps and advance to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who experience dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of reducing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe method that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their correct location, thus alleviating the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. This maneuver entails specific head movements with the guidance of a specialist, designed to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Argentville, MO physical therapists first, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Argentville, MO
Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for Argentville, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Argentville, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care designed for your specific needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Argentville, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, restoring normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Argentville, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Argentville, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert 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 Argentville, MO include:
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
- Vestibular Therapy
- Concussion Treatment
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Argentville, 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 standing up from a chair feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients restore 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.