Vertigo treatment in Downtown West St. Louis, 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 daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Downtown West St. Louis, 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, Axes is here to help. Reach out to the closest Axes location, 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. 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 usually a symptom of various ailments impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Here are a few of the most frequent causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary 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 how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV disrupts these signals, causing vertigo.
- 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 condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation obstructs the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and problems with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can impact balance and cause nausea.
- 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: 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.
Recognizing the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it allows our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions targeting the root cause of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can experience more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
This condition can also be accompanied by several additional symptoms besides dizziness, differing widely in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Challenges in maintaining balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly persons.
- Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in either ears, which can occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss can be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then correct themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Downtown West St. Louis, MO. It often involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Downtown West St. Louis, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can approach Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.
Downtown West St. Louis, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Downtown West St. Louis, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques help directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your particular situation. 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO might feature:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted treatment method intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of tailored exercises intended to retrain the brain to interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to improve vision and the ability 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 keep your gaze 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 even with movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities like balancing on a single leg or walking heel-to-toe and advance to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who experience dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe procedure that seeks to move the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear to their correct location, thus alleviating the dizzy spells associated with this condition. This maneuver entails specific head positions with the guidance of a specialist, aiming 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Downtown West St. Louis, MO
Choosing the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a premier choice for Downtown West St. Louis, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, restoring normal function, getting you back to the things you enjoy doing most, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Downtown West St. Louis, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Downtown West St. Louis, 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 Downtown West St. Louis, 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 | Downtown West St. Louis, 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 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 restore 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 assist you in managing the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.