Vertigo treatment in Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider 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.
Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Creve Coeur, 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 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. 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 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 often associated with various conditions affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information vital 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 communicates 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 can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear causes pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and problems with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can influence balance and cause nausea.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Harm 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 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 an essential step in treatment, as it enables our Creve Coeur, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that directly address the underlying issue of imbalance. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo can also present several other symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Difficulty in keeping balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
- Tinnitus: Buzzing or additional noises in one or both ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss can be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Creve Coeur, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Creve Coeur, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular rehabilitation, 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, recent legislation which allows patients in Creve Coeur, 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.
Creve Coeur, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Creve Coeur, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques aid in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Creve Coeur, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique disorder. 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 Creve Coeur, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment method designed to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises intended to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at improve vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. One such exercise 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 helps training 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 reduce the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple tasks like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and advance to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are intended for those who experience dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of diminishing 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.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle procedure that aims to move the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, effectively reducing the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. This maneuver involves precise head positions under the guidance of a specialist, designed to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Creve Coeur, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Creve Coeur, MO
Choosing the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for Creve Coeur, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Creve Coeur, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized 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 Creve Coeur, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, improving 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 Creve Coeur, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, appreciated, and supported.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Creve Coeur, 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 significant step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Creve Coeur, 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 | Creve Coeur, 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 walking up the stairs seem daunting. 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 restore 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 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.