Vertigo treatment in Defiance, MO. Vertigo is more than just simply experiencing dizziness; it’s complex and 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 Defiance, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We target the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Defiance, 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 Defiance, 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.
Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis
Vertigo typically presents as a sensation of spinning, where you might feel as though you’re moving when in fact you’re stationary, or it seems like the environment 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 usually 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 sends signals to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV alters these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
- Meniere’s Disease: This condition of the inner ear often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear leads to pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails inflammation 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, leading to 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 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 appear soon after or long following 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 Defiance, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor 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.
Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo can also come with several other symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
- Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in one or both ears, which may occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In instances associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss is often a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as rapid changes in posture, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Defiance, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Defiance, 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, recent legislation which allows patients in Defiance, 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.
Defiance, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Defiance, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques help repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Defiance, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your particular 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 Defiance, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment method aimed at alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of tailored exercises aimed 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 enhance 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 assists conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities 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: Habituation exercises are meant for those who experience dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger 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 set number of repetitions.
- The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle method that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, thus alleviating the dizzy spells associated with this condition. It involves specific head movements under 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 meet with our Defiance, MO physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Defiance, MO
Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Defiance, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Defiance, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Defiance, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing 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 Defiance, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, valued, and supported.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Defiance, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.
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 Defiance, 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 | Defiance, 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 experts 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 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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.