Vertigo treatment in Granite City, IL. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, heavily affecting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Granite City, IL, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We target the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Granite City, IL 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, free from vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Granite City, IL, 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.

Understanding 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. 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 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 conditions impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages information about our position in the world around us. Here are several of the most common causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost 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 head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV alters these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder 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 causes pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with 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 affect balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear 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 age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it allows our Granite City, IL physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions targeting the root cause of imbalance. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also be accompanied by several additional symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, especially in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Humming or additional noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of 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 exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Granite City, IL. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Granite City, IL physical therapists, skilled in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Granite City, 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.

Granite City, IL Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Granite City, IL, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Granite City, IL physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your particular 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 Granite City, IL might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized form of therapy designed to 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 aimed at 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 focus on a small target at eye level. As you keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly rotate 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 individuals with vertigo, as they help enhancing 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 advance to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are intended for those who suffer from dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of reducing the brain’s 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.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe method that seeks to move the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to their original location, thus alleviating the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver entails specific head movements under the guidance of a specialist, aiming to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Granite City, IL physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Granite City, IL

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Granite City, IL physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care designed for your specific needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Granite City, IL. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Granite City, IL patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Granite City, IL, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach for those in need.

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

Other services we offer in Granite City, IL include:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Granite City, 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 restore 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 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.