Vertigo treatment in O’Fallon, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; living with symptoms that are largely “in your head” can be particularly challenging as others aren’t able to see the outward signs of an injury. At Axes Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We target the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of O’Fallon, 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 return to the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in O’Fallon, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, you can trust in Axes. Reach out to the closest Axes location, 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. 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 commonly a symptom of various conditions affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Below are a few of the most frequent causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in 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 dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear leads to pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with 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 undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can impact balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop immediately or sometime after 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 age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it allows our O’Fallon, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the root cause of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo 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 unsettling sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in one or both ears, which can occur concurrently 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, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then correct themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in O’Fallon, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our O’Fallon, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, 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. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in O’Fallon, 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.

O’Fallon, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in O’Fallon, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our O’Fallon, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your specific circumstances. That may include 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 O’Fallon, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused treatment method designed 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 interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to enhance vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. A common technique is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus on a small target at eye level. As you keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly move your head from side to side or up and down. This assists 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 enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple tasks like standing on one foot or taking heel-to-toe steps and advance to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who suffer from dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of reducing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (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, thereby relieving vertigo associated with this disorder. It involves specific head positions with the guidance of a specialist, aiming to shift these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

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

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled O’Fallon, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care designed for 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 comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in O’Fallon, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back to the things you enjoy doing most, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our O’Fallon, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, appreciated, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around O’Fallon, 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 O’Fallon, MO include:

• Workers Comp' Physical Therapy
• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | O’Fallon, 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 walking up the stairs seem daunting. 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 self-assuredness.

If you’re experiencing 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 return to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.