Vertigo treatment in Old Jamestown, MO. Vertigo is more than just 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 Old Jamestown, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Old Jamestown, MO therapists work with you and your doctor 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 Old Jamestown, 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 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 often a symptom of various conditions impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing sensory information essential for controlling balance and eye movements. Listed are several of the most frequent 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 communicates to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV alters these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear may result in dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear results in pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling obstructs the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can affect balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest shortly or long after 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 affect the inner ear, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it allows our Old Jamestown, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions aimed specifically at the underlying issue of imbalance. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also come with several other symptoms beyond dizziness, varying greatly 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 serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Trouble in achieving balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in either ears, which can occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, not related to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then realign themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as rapid changes in posture, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Old Jamestown, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Old Jamestown, 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.

Old Jamestown, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Old Jamestown, 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 Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your unique 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 Old Jamestown, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy 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 process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at better 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 hold your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for people with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and lowering 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: Habituation exercises are intended for those who experience dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle method that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, effectively reducing vertigo associated with this disorder. It entails precise head positions with the guidance of a professional, designed to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Old Jamestown, MO

Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Old Jamestown, MO people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert Old Jamestown, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated 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 holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Old Jamestown, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Old Jamestown, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, appreciated, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Old Jamestown, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Old Jamestown, MO include:

• Back Pain Treatment
• 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

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Old Jamestown, 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 crucial role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients restore their balance and self-assuredness.

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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.