Vertigo treatment in Meacham Park, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can make you lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Meacham Park, 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 Meacham Park, 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, free from vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Meacham Park, 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 start getting your best you back today.

Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis

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. 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 associated with various disorders affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information essential for controlling balance and eye movements. Listed 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 tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear communicates to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. 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, affecting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines experience episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can impact balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in managing the condition, as it allows our Meacham Park, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions aimed specifically at the specific source of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

This condition can also present several other symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in maintaining balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as quick movements, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Meacham Park, MO. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Meacham Park, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Meacham Park, 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.

Meacham Park, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Meacham Park, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Meacham Park, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular 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 Meacham Park, MO could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused treatment method intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises aimed to retrain the brain to interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to 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 fix your gaze on a small target at eye level. As you maintain your focus fixed on the target, you slowly rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in training your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training 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 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 intended for those who experience dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of diminishing the 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 safe method that seeks to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear to their correct location, effectively reducing vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver involves precise head movements with the guidance of a specialist, aiming to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Meacham Park, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Meacham Park, MO

Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Meacham Park, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Meacham Park, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing individualized care designed for your specific needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Meacham Park, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing 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 Meacham Park, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Acknowledging 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 Meacham Park, 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 significant step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Meacham Park, MO include:

• Neck Pain Treatment
• 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

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Meacham Park, 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 walking up the stairs feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial 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.