Vertigo treatment in Hazelwood, MO. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond simply experiencing dizziness; it’s complex and can make you lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Hazelwood, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Hazelwood, 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 resume the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Hazelwood, 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 typically presents as a sensation of spinning, where either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, or it seems like the environment 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 usually a symptom of various conditions impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Below are several of the most typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common 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 dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• 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 results in pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts 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 in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop soon after or long following the injury.
• Other Causes: More rarely, 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 an essential step in treatment, as it allows our Hazelwood, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions aimed specifically at the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

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

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Trouble in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, especially in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in one or both ears, which can occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with changes in position, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Hazelwood, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Hazelwood, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Hazelwood, 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.

Hazelwood, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

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

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized form of therapy designed to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises intended 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 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 concentrate on a small target at eye level. As you hold your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This assists teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple activities like standing on one foot 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 certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is 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 is recognized as a gentle method that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to their original position, effectively reducing the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. This maneuver entails precise head positions 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 Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood, MO

Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for Hazelwood, MO people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert Hazelwood, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Hazelwood, MO. We employ a variety 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 Hazelwood, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Hazelwood, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.

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

Other services we offer in Hazelwood, MO 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 | Hazelwood, 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 specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues 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 return to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.