Vertigo treatment in Labarque Creek, MO. Vertigo goes beyond simply experiencing dizziness; it’s complex and can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, heavily affecting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Labarque Creek, 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 Labarque Creek, MO physical and occupational 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 Labarque Creek, 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 begin the journey to reclaim your best self today.
Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis
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 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 commonly a symptom of various ailments impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information essential for maintaining balance and eye movements. Listed are some of the most frequent causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear communicates to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
- Meniere’s Disease: This condition 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 results in pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling obstructs the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines experience episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not 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 manifest 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.
Understanding the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in managing the condition, as it allows our Labarque Creek, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions aimed specifically at the root cause of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.
Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo can also be accompanied by several other symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Trouble in keeping balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly persons.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in either ears, which may occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In instances 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, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then realign themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with changes in position, such as quick movements, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Labarque Creek, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Labarque Creek, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular rehabilitation, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Labarque Creek, 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.
Labarque Creek, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Labarque Creek, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Labarque Creek, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your unique disorder. 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 Labarque Creek, MO could involve:
- 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 intended to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to better 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 keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This helps conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for people with vertigo, as they aid in improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple tasks like balancing on a single leg or walking heel-to-toe 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. Such activities involve continuous exposure to certain motions 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 steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle procedure that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to their original position, thus alleviating the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver involves precise head positions with the guidance of a specialist, designed to shift these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our Labarque Creek, MO physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Labarque Creek, MO
Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for Labarque Creek, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert Labarque Creek, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands 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 creation of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Labarque Creek, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, improving 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 Labarque Creek, MO patients are the center of everything we 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 Labarque Creek, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.
For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Labarque Creek, MO include:
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Hip Replacement Physical Therapy
- Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
- Migraine Relief
- Sprain and Strain Treatment
- Geriatric Physical Therapy
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Labarque Creek, 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 regain 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 get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.