Vertigo treatment in Bismarck, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Bismarck, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Bismarck, MO physical and occupational therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.
If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Bismarck, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, you can trust in Axes. 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 world 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 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 a symptom of various ailments impacting 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 some of the most frequent causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary 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 how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV disrupts these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
- 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 leads to pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from 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: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear immediately or sometime after the injury.
- Other Causes: Less commonly, vertigo can be a symptom of a more serious condition affecting the brain (such as a stroke or brain tumor), certain medications that cause ear damage, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.
Identifying the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it allows our Bismarck, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions aimed specifically at the root cause of imbalance. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can realize more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo can also come with several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Challenges in maintaining balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly people.
- Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in one or both ears, which may occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss may be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated 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: Difficulty with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Bismarck, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Bismarck, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Bismarck, 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.
Bismarck, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Bismarck, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques assist in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Bismarck, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your unique 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 Bismarck, MO might feature:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy aimed at alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises intended to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to better vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. An example 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 rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This helps conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they aid in 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: Habituation exercises are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of reducing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a set number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle procedure that seeks to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. This maneuver entails precise head movements under the guidance of a professional, designed to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Bismarck, MO physical therapists first, who can show you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Bismarck, MO
Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Bismarck, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert Bismarck, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities 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 development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Bismarck, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Bismarck, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Bismarck, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.
For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Bismarck, MO include:
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Bismarck, 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 turning around feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients regain their balance and self-assuredness.
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 help you navigate the complexities of vertigo and return to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.