Vertigo treatment in Green Park, 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, heavily affecting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Green Park, 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 Green Park, MO therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and resume the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.
If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Green Park, 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 initiate your path to recovery 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. 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 conditions impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that manages information about our position in the world around us. Listed are a few of the most typical causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common 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 disrupts 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, fluid accumulation in the inner ear causes pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and problems with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines experience episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can influence balance and cause nausea.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear soon after or long following 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 age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.
Identifying the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it allows our Green Park, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions that directly address the root cause of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound 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 frequently cause nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Trouble in keeping balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly persons.
- Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss may be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with motion, such as rapid changes in posture, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Green Park, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Green Park, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Green Park, MO 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.
Green Park, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Green Park, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques assist in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Green Park, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your specific circumstances. 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 Green Park, MO may include:
- 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 aimed to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to improve 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 fix your gaze 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 even with movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises 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 standing on one foot 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 from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe method that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thus alleviating vertigo associated with this condition. It involves specific head positions under the guidance of a specialist, designed 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 Green Park, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Green Park, MO
Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Green Park, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Green Park, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care designed for 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 Green Park, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the things you enjoy doing most, and making you feel great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Green Park, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Green Park, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.
For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Green Park, MO include:
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
- Vestibular Therapy
- Concussion Treatment
- Soft Tissue Mobilization
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Green Park, 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 turning around seem daunting. 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 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 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.