Vertigo treatment in North Hampton, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can make you lose your sense of being in the world, heavily affecting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in North Hampton, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of North Hampton, 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 resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.
Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in North Hampton, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, you can trust in Axes. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to start getting your best you back today.
Understanding Vertigo
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 often a symptom of various conditions impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain involved in processing 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 a primary 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 often causes 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 connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo 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 shortly or long after the injury.
- Other Causes: In fewer cases, vertigo can be a symptom of a more serious condition affecting the brain (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 North Hampton, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions that directly address the root cause of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.
Symptoms of Vertigo
This condition can also come with several other symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Trouble in maintaining balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
- Tinnitus: Humming or other noises in one or both ears, which can occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss is often a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with motion, such as rapid changes in posture, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in North Hampton, MO. It often involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our North Hampton, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in North Hampton, 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.
North Hampton, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in North Hampton, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our North Hampton, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your specific circumstances. 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 North Hampton, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused treatment method aimed at alleviate both the primary and secondary problems 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 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. A common technique is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you concentrate on a small target at eye level. As you hold 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 regardless of movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple activities 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 from self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
- The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe procedure that aims to move the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to their correct location, thus alleviating the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver involves precise head positions with the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our North Hampton, 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 North Hampton, MO
Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a premier choice for North Hampton, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled North Hampton, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in North Hampton, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our North Hampton, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around North Hampton, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.
For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in North Hampton, 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 | North Hampton, 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 specialized providers 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 suffering from 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 harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.