Vertigo treatment in Downtown West St. Louis, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can make you 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 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and return to 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. 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 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 often a symptom of various ailments influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that processes information about our position in the world around us. Listed are some of the most frequent 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 how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder 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, affecting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with 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 shortly or long 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in managing the condition, as it enables our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions aimed specifically at the specific source of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also present several other symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in either ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional 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 imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular therapy, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law 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

Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Downtown West St. Louis, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. A number of 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 customized treatment plan for your specific 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of tailored 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 designed to enhance 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 concentrate 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 training your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they aid in enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple tasks like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and advance to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of diminishing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe method that aims to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thus alleviating vertigo associated with this condition. It entails precise head positions under the guidance of a specialist, designed to shift these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Downtown West St. Louis, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Downtown West St. Louis, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts 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 individualized care tailored to your specific 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 designed to alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing 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 Downtown West St. Louis, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, appreciated, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Downtown West St. Louis, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Downtown West St. Louis, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation

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 turning around seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients restore their balance and confidence.

If you’re experiencing 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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.