Vertigo treatment in Howell, MO. 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, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Howell, 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 Howell, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider 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 Howell, 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 you might feel as though you’re moving when in fact you’re stationary, 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 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, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Here are a few of the most frequent causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when small calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear transmits information to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV disrupts these signals, causing vertigo.
- Meniere’s Disease: This disorder 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 hearing and balance.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and issues with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can impact balance and cause nausea.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop 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 cause ear damage, or the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.
Identifying the cause of vertigo is an essential step in treatment, as it allows our Howell, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can experience more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.
Symptoms of Vertigo
This condition can also present several other symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation 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 maintaining balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in one or both ears, which may occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss is often a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then realign themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Howell, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Howell, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Howell, 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.
Howell, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Howell, MO, 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 Howell, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique 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 Howell, MO could involve:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted treatment method aimed at alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises designed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. 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 concentrate 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 conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple tasks 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: Exercises for habituation are intended for those who suffer from dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of reducing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a set number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle procedure that aims to reposition the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to their original location, thus alleviating the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. It involves specific head positions with the guidance of a specialist, aiming to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Howell, MO physical therapists first, who can guide you on what exercises are safe for you to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Howell, MO
Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for Howell, MO people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert Howell, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care designed for your specific needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Howell, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, getting you back to the things you enjoy doing most, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Howell, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Acknowledging 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 Howell, 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 crucial step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Howell, MO include:
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Howell, 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 feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients restore their balance and confidence.
If you’re experiencing 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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.