Central West End, MO

Central West End, MO

Get back to the activities you love with personalized vertigo treatment in St. Louis.

Vertigo treatment in Central West End, 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 being in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Central West End, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We attack the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Central West End, 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.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Central West End, 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 begin the journey to reclaim your best self today.

What Is Vertigo?

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 disorders affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages sensory information vital for maintaining balance and eye movements. Here are some of the most common causes of vertigo:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost 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 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 results in pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and issues with balance.
  • Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without 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 soon after or long following 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 affect the inner ear, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is an essential step in treatment, as it allows our Central West End, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that directly address the root cause of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Treatment in Central West End, MO | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near Central West End

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also present 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 often lead to nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
  • Balance Problems: Challenges in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
  • Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in one or both ears, which can occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
  • Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss is often a symptom.
  • Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
  • Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then realign themselves.
  • Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as rapid changes in posture, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Central West End, MO. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Central West End, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular therapy, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Central West End, 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.

Central West End, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Central West End, 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 Central West End, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique 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 Central West End, MO could involve:

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises designed to retrain the brain to interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
    • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to improve 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 hold your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This helps teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
    • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple activities like standing on one foot or taking heel-to-toe steps and advance to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
    • Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from self-motion 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.
  • The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe procedure that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to their correct location, thus alleviating vertigo associated with this disorder. This maneuver involves specific head movements with the guidance of a specialist, designed to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Central West End, MO physical therapists first, who can guide you on what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Central West End, MO

Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Central West End, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

  • Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert Central West End, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
  • Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Central West End, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, getting you back to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
  • Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Central West End, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, appreciated, and cared for.
  • Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Central West End, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach for those in need.

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 Central West End, MO include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Central West End, 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 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. Contact 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 harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • dorsaVi Video Motion Analysis
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTYM)
  • Spine Specialty – Manual Therapy Certified
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Zac Schniers
PT, DPT, CMPT
Ashley Kraus
Front Office
Carly Donahue
PT, DPT, CMPT

Locations

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