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; 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 East St. Louis, IL, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We attack the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of East St. Louis, IL 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.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in East St. Louis, IL, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, you can trust in Axes. Reach out to the closest Axes location, contact us online, or request an appointment to start getting your best you back today.

What Is Vertigo?

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 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 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 ailments influencing the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information vital for maintaining balance and eye movements. Here are some of the most typical causes of vertigo:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common 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 head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV alters these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
Meniere’s Disease: This condition 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 leads to 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. Such swelling obstructs the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and problems with balance.
Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can impact balance and cause motion sickness.
Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest immediately or sometime after the injury.
Other Causes: Less commonly, 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 treatment, as it enables our East St. Louis, IL physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the specific source of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

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

Symptoms of Vertigo

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

Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
Balance Problems: Trouble in maintaining balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly people.
Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in either ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in East St. Louis, IL. It usually involves a comprehensive 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, alongside your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in East St. Louis, IL 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.

East St. Louis, IL Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in East St. Louis, IL, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our East St. Louis, IL physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your specific situation. 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 East St. Louis, IL may include:

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 designed 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 better 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 hold your gaze 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 even with movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they aid in improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple activities like standing on one foot 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 experience dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a specified number of repetitions.
The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle method that seeks to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to their correct location, thus alleviating vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver entails precise head positions under the guidance of a professional, aiming to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our East St. Louis, IL physical therapists first, who can guide you on what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in East St. Louis, IL

Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a premier choice for East St. Louis, IL individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled East St. Louis, IL physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in East St. Louis, IL. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our East St. Louis, IL patients are the center of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany 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 professional vertigo treatment is within reach 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 East St. Louis, IL include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | East St. Louis, IL 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 turning around feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients regain 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 get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.

East St. Louis, IL