Vertigo treatment in Maryland Heights, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can make you lose your sense of presence in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Maryland Heights, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Maryland Heights, MO physical and occupational therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and return to the activities you love, free from vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Maryland Heights, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, 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.

What Is 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. 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 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 influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for managing information about our position in the world around us. Here are a few of the most typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost 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 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 leads to pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling 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 impact balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest shortly or long after the injury.
• Other Causes: Less commonly, vertigo can be a symptom of a more serious neurological problem (such as a stroke or brain tumor), certain medications that affect the inner ear, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is an essential step in treatment, as it enables our Maryland Heights, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

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

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in achieving balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In instances associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Maryland Heights, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Maryland Heights, 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, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Maryland Heights, 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.

Maryland Heights, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Maryland Heights, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques aid in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your unique situation. 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 Maryland Heights, MO could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises intended 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 enhance vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. One such exercise is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus 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 aids in teaching 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 improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple tasks like balancing on a single leg or walking heel-to-toe and progress to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who suffer from dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of diminishing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe procedure that seeks to move the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, effectively reducing the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. It entails specific head movements under the guidance of a professional, designed to shift these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Maryland Heights, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Maryland Heights, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Maryland Heights, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing 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 Maryland Heights, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Maryland Heights, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.

For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Maryland Heights, 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 | Maryland Heights, 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 seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial 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 help you navigate the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.