Vertigo Treatment in East St. Louis, IL | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near East St. Louis

Vertigo treatment in East St. Louis, IL. The condition known as vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; living with symptoms that are largely “in your head” can be even more frustrating as others aren’t able to see the outward signs of an injury. At Axes Physical Therapy in East St. Louis, IL, our approach to vertigo treatment targets root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of East St. Louis, IL 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 East St. Louis, IL 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.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, 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 commonly a symptom of various disorders impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing information about our position in the world around us. Below are several 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) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear transmits information to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV interferes with 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, a buildup of fluid 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. This inflammation disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to 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 affect 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: More rarely, vertigo can be a symptom of a more serious neurological problem (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 an essential step in treatment, as it allows our East St. Louis, IL physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Treatment in East St. Louis, IL | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near East St. Louis

Vertigo Symptoms

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

Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
Balance Problems: Challenges in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in either ears, which may occur concurrently with 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 may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then adjust themselves.
Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty 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 East St. Louis, IL. It typically involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our East St. Louis, IL physical therapists, specialized in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in East St. Louis, IL 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.

East St. Louis, IL Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in East St. Louis, IL, offering relief to 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 East St. Louis, IL physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular situation. 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 East St. Louis, IL may include:

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises aimed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at 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 focus on a small target at eye level. As you keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This helps 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 aid in improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple activities like balancing on a single leg 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 suffer from dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of reducing 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 is recognized as a safe procedure that seeks to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo associated with this disorder. This maneuver involves precise head movements with the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our East St. Louis, IL 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 East St. Louis, IL

Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for East St. Louis, IL people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert East St. Louis, IL physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in East St. Louis, IL. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our East St. Louis, IL 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, appreciated, and supported.
Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around East St. Louis, IL, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is within reach for anyone seeking help.

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 East St. Louis, IL include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | East St. Louis, IL 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 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 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 return to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.

Vertigo Treatment East St. Louis, IL