Vertigo treatment in Foley, MO. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can make you lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Foley, 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 Foley, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider 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 Foley, 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.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo typically presents as a sensation of spinning, 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 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 usually a symptom of various ailments affecting 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 typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear transmits information to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV disrupts these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear may result in dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear causes pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can influence balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it enables our Foley, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the root cause of imbalance. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can experience more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

This condition 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 severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in keeping balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in one or both ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In instances associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to 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: Problems with motion, such as rapid changes in posture, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Foley, MO. It often involves a comprehensive examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Foley, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Foley, 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.

Foley, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Foley, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques help directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Foley, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your specific situation. 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 Foley, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy aimed at alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms 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 enhance vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. One such exercise 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 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 tasks 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 meant for those who suffer from dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, 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 gentle method that seeks to move the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver entails precise head movements under the guidance of a specialist, designed to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Foley, MO 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 Foley, MO

Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Foley, MO people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Foley, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand 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 comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Foley, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing 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 Foley, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, valued, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Foley, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach for anyone seeking help.

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

Other services we offer in Foley, MO include:

• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Foley, 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 seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients regain their balance and self-assuredness.

If you’re suffering from vertigo or related symptoms, remember that you’re not alone. Contact 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.