Vertigo treatment in Ethlyn, MO. 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 particularly challenging as others aren’t able to see the outward signs of an injury. At Axes Physical Therapy in Ethlyn, 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 Ethlyn, MO 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, free from vertigo.
If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Ethlyn, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, Axes is here to help. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to begin the journey to reclaim your best self 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. 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 usually associated with various disorders affecting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for managing sensory information essential for controlling balance and eye movements. Listed 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 tiny calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals 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 often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear results in pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts 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 undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest soon after or long following the injury.
- Other Causes: In fewer cases, 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.
Identifying the cause of vertigo is an essential step in treatment, as it enables our Ethlyn, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions targeting the underlying issue of imbalance. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo can also present several additional symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
- Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in either ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss may be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then realign themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as rapid changes in posture, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Ethlyn, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Ethlyn, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular therapy, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Ethlyn, MO 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.
Ethlyn, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Ethlyn, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques help repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Ethlyn, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique 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 Ethlyn, MO might feature:
- 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 tailored exercises aimed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to 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 turn your head from side to side or up and down. This assists conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for people with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and progress to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who experience dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective 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 stands as a safe method that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their correct position, effectively reducing the dizzy spells associated with this condition. It 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 best to meet with our Ethlyn, MO physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Ethlyn, MO
Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Ethlyn, MO people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Ethlyn, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care tailored to 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 Ethlyn, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, improving balance, restoring 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 Ethlyn, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, appreciated, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Ethlyn, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.
For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Ethlyn, 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 | Ethlyn, 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 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 regain their balance and self-assuredness.
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 get back to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.