Vertigo treatment in Osage Hills, MO. The condition known as vertigo is more than just simply experiencing dizziness; it’s complex and can cause you to lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Osage Hills, 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 Osage Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Osage Hills, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, 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 world 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 disorders impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information crucial for maintaining balance and eye movements. Below are several of the most frequent causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost 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 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, impacting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation 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 without having a severe headache. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear immediately or sometime 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 cause ear damage, or the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it allows our Osage Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the specific source of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo can also present several other symptoms beyond dizziness, varying greatly in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Trouble in maintaining balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or other 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 conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty 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 Osage Hills, MO. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Osage Hills, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular rehabilitation, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Osage Hills, 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.

Osage Hills, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Osage Hills, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Osage Hills, 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 Osage Hills, MO could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted treatment method designed to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises designed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at improve vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. An example is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you concentrate 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 assists training your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
  • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for people with vertigo, as they aid in improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple activities like standing on one foot or taking heel-to-toe steps and progress to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the brain’s sensitivity of 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): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe procedure that seeks to reposition the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, effectively reducing vertigo associated with this condition. This maneuver entails precise head positions under the guidance of a professional, aiming to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Osage Hills, MO physical therapists first, who can guide you on what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Osage Hills, MO

Choosing the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Osage Hills, MO people suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert Osage Hills, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Osage Hills, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, restoring normal function, getting you back to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Osage Hills, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, appreciated, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Osage Hills, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Osage Hills, 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 | Osage Hills, 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 feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts 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 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 assist you in managing the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.