Vertigo treatment in Earth City, MO. 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 Earth City, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Earth City, 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 Earth City, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, you can trust in Axes. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to initiate your path to recovery 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 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 influencing the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages sensory information essential for maintaining balance and eye movements. Here are some of the most common 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 transmits information to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV disrupts 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 causes pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation obstructs the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can influence balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop immediately or sometime after 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in managing the condition, as it enables our Earth City, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions that directly address the underlying issue of imbalance. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also come with several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Trouble in achieving balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or additional noises in one or both ears, which can occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion, such as rapid changes in posture, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Earth City, MO. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Earth City, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Earth City, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can come to Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.

Earth City, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Earth City, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Earth City, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your particular circumstances. That might involve 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 Earth City, MO could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy designed to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises designed to retrain the brain to interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. 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. An example 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 move your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in training your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple activities like balancing on a single leg or taking heel-to-toe steps and progress to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective 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.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe procedure that aims to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear back to their correct location, thus alleviating vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver entails precise head movements under the guidance of a professional, aiming to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

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

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Earth City, MO

Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Earth City, MO people suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Earth City, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Earth City, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, improving balance, restoring 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 Earth City, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Acknowledging 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 Earth City, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Earth City, MO include:

• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Migraine Relief
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Earth City, 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 experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients restore their balance and confidence.

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 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.