Vertigo Treatment in Park Hills, MO | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near Park Hills

Vertigo treatment in Park Hills, MO. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can cause you to lose your sense of being in the world, heavily affecting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Park Hills, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We target the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Park Hills, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and return to the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Park Hills, 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 start getting your best you back today.

What Is 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 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. Listed are some of the most typical causes of vertigo:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when small calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals 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 leads to pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with 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 suffer from 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 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 affect the inner ear, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it enables our Park Hills, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions aimed specifically at the root cause of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Treatment in Park Hills, MO | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near Park Hills

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also be accompanied by several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:

Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
Balance Problems: Challenges in keeping balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
Tinnitus: Buzzing or additional noises in either ears, which can occur alongside vertigo episodes.
Hearing Loss: In instances associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss can be a symptom.
Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then realign themselves.
Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as rapid changes in posture, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Park Hills, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Park Hills, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Park 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.

Park Hills, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular 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 Park Hills, MO may include:

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy aimed at alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises intended to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more effectively. 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 concentrate 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 helps teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
- Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple tasks like balancing on a single leg or taking heel-to-toe steps and progress to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are intended 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 induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the brain’s sensitivity to these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe method that seeks to reposition the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to their correct position, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. It involves specific head positions with the guidance of a specialist, designed to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our Park Hills, 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 Park Hills, MO

Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for Park Hills, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert Park Hills, 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 are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Park Hills, MO. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Park Hills, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Park Hills, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is within reach for those in need.

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

Other services we offer in Park Hills, MO include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Park 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 standing up from a chair seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes 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.