Vertigo treatment in Flint Hill, MO. The condition known as vertigo is more than just simply experiencing dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Flint Hill, MO, 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 Flint Hill, MO therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and return to the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.
Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Flint Hill, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, 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 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 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 often a symptom of various conditions influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for managing information about our position in the world around us. Below are some of the most common 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 transmits information to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
- 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 results in pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and problems with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. 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: 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.
Identifying the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it allows our Flint Hill, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the root cause of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo can also present several additional symptoms besides dizziness, differing widely in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Challenges in keeping balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly persons.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in one or both 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, not related to your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then adjust themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Flint Hill, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Flint Hill, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular rehabilitation, 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 Flint Hill, 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.
Flint Hill, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Flint Hill, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Flint Hill, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your unique disorder. 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 Flint Hill, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy aimed at alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises intended to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to better vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. A common technique 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 conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple activities like balancing on a single leg or walking heel-to-toe and progress to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who suffer from dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the brain’s sensitivity to these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a steady 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 misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver involves specific head positions with the guidance of a specialist, aiming to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Flint Hill, 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 Flint Hill, MO
Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Flint Hill, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Flint Hill, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing individualized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Flint Hill, MO. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, getting you back to the things you enjoy doing most, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Flint Hill, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Flint Hill, 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 Flint Hill, MO include:
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
- Vestibular Therapy
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Flint Hill, 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 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 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 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.