Vertigo treatment in Frontenac, MO. 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 Frontenac, 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 Frontenac, MO physical and occupational therapists work with you and your doctor 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.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Frontenac, 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 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 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 often associated with various disorders impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that processes information about our position in the world around us. Listed are a few of the most common causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when small calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear communicates to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: This condition of the inner ear may result in dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear causes pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves swelling 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, 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 in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can influence balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear shortly or long after the injury.
• Other Causes: In fewer cases, 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.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it enables our Frontenac, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the root cause of imbalance. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can realize more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

This condition can also come with several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, varying greatly in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in keeping balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly individuals.
• 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 issues, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then realign themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as quick movements, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Frontenac, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Frontenac, 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, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Frontenac, 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.

Frontenac, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Frontenac, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques help directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Frontenac, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your specific 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 Frontenac, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment method intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises designed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at 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 fix your gaze 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 teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they aid in enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple tasks like standing on one foot or taking heel-to-toe steps 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 experience dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle procedure that seeks to move the misplaced crystals within the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, effectively reducing vertigo associated with this condition. This maneuver involves specific head movements under the guidance of a specialist, designed to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Frontenac, MO physical therapists first, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Frontenac, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Frontenac, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Frontenac, MO. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Frontenac, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Acknowledging 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 Frontenac, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible 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 Frontenac, MO include:

• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Frontenac, 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 walking up the stairs 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 experiencing 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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.