Vertigo treatment in Campbellton, MO. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can cause you to lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Campbellton, 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 Campbellton, 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, without the constraints of vertigo.
Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Campbellton, MO because of 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.
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 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 commonly associated with various disorders influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information essential for maintaining balance and eye movements. Below are several of the most typical causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear transmits information to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV disrupts 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 balance and hearing.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling obstructs the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines suffer from 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 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 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 enables our Campbellton, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the root cause of imbalance. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can experience more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo can also come with several other symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Trouble in keeping balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in one or both ears, which can occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss can be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Campbellton, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Campbellton, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Campbellton, MO 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.
Campbellton, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Campbellton, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques aid in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Campbellton, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular circumstances. 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 Campbellton, MO might feature:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises aimed 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. 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 rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they aid in improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple tasks like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and progress to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who suffer from dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of reducing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a set number of repetitions.
- The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe method that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver involves precise head movements under the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Campbellton, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Campbellton, MO
Choosing the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Campbellton, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Campbellton, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Campbellton, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing 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 Campbellton, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Campbellton, 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 Campbellton, MO include:
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Campbellton, 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 seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients regain their balance and self-assuredness.
If you’re suffering from 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 get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.