Vertigo treatment in Kirkwood, MO. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Kirkwood, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We target root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Kirkwood, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Kirkwood, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, Axes is here to help. Reach out to the closest Axes location, 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 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 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 often a symptom of various conditions affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that processes information about our position in the world around us. Below are several of the most common causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost cause of vertigo and occurs when small calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear communicates to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV disrupts these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• 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 leads to pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation interferes with the transfer 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 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 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.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it enables our Kirkwood, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions aimed specifically at the root cause of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can experience more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

This condition can also present several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely 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 extreme cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in keeping balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in one or both ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

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

Kirkwood, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Kirkwood, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques help repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Kirkwood, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific circumstances. That could encompass 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 Kirkwood, MO could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted treatment modality 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 interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to better 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 turn your head from side to side or up and down. This assists conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities 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: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who experience dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of diminishing 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.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle procedure that aims to reposition the dislodged crystals within the inner ear to their original position, thereby relieving the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver entails specific head movements under the guidance of a specialist, designed to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Kirkwood, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to 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 Kirkwood, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating 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 Kirkwood, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Kirkwood, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is within reach for anyone seeking help.

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 Kirkwood, MO include:

• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Kirkwood, 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 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 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.