Vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO. The condition known as vertigo is more than just simply experiencing 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 South Grand, St. Louis, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of South Grand, St. Louis, 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, without the constraints of vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, Axes is here to help. Reach out to the closest Axes location, contact us online, or request an appointment to start getting your best you back today.

Understanding 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 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 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 associated with various ailments influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for managing sensory information vital 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) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear leads to pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can influence 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: 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 cause ear damage, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it enables our South Grand, St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions that directly address the underlying issue of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo can also present several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Trouble in maintaining balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly people.
• 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 can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, independent of your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion, such as quick movements, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO. It often involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our South Grand, St. Louis, 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, recent legislation which allows patients in South Grand, St. Louis, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can approach Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.

South Grand, St. Louis, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our South Grand, St. Louis, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your specific disorder. 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 South Grand, St. Louis, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of tailored exercises aimed to retrain the brain to interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at improve 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 maintain your focus fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in training your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. Such activities 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: Exercises for habituation are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to specific movements 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 set number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle method that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their correct position, thereby relieving the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. This maneuver entails specific head movements with the guidance of a specialist, aiming to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our South Grand, St. Louis, MO physical therapists initially, who can guide you on what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO

Choosing the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for South Grand, St. Louis, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert South Grand, St. Louis, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, improving balance, restoring 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 South Grand, St. Louis, 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 heard, appreciated, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around South Grand, St. Louis, 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 South Grand, St. Louis, MO include:

• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | South Grand, St. Louis, 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 experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients restore their balance and self-assuredness.

If you’re experiencing 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.