Vertigo treatment in Augusta, MO. The condition known as vertigo is more than just simply experiencing dizziness; it’s complex and can make you lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Augusta, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We attack the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Augusta, 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 resume the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Augusta, 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 start getting your best you back today.

Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis

Vertigo typically presents as a sensation of spinning, 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 often associated with various ailments influencing the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages sensory information vital for maintaining balance and eye movements. Below are a few of the most typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny 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 often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear leads to pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can influence balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear shortly or long after the injury.
• Other Causes: More rarely, vertigo can be a symptom of a more serious condition affecting the brain (such as a stroke or brain tumor), certain medications that affect the inner ear, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in managing the condition, as it enables our Augusta, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions targeting the root cause of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can experience more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

This condition can also be accompanied by several additional symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in maintaining balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in either ears, which may 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 may cause sudden sweating, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then realign themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Augusta, MO. It often involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Augusta, MO physical therapists, skilled 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 Augusta, 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.

Augusta, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Augusta, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques aid in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Augusta, MO physical therapists will develop a customized 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 Augusta, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment modality intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises aimed to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at enhance 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 concentrate on a small target at eye level. As you hold your gaze 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 regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple tasks like standing on one foot or taking heel-to-toe steps and progress 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 due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of reducing the brain’s 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): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle method that seeks to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear back to their correct position, thus alleviating vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. It involves specific head movements under the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our Augusta, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

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

Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Augusta, MO people suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert Augusta, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the creation of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Augusta, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, getting you back to the things you enjoy doing most, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Augusta, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Augusta, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach for anyone seeking help.

For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Augusta, 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 | Augusta, MO 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 standing up from a chair seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients regain their balance and confidence.

If you’re suffering from 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 assist you in managing the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.