Vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, 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 presence in the world, severely impacting your daily life. 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 return to the activities you love, free from 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, 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.

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. 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 usually associated with various ailments affecting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that processes information about our position in the world around us. Listed are several of the most typical 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 head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: This condition of the inner ear can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear results in pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
• 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. Such swelling disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues 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 affect balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop immediately or sometime after the injury.
• Other Causes: In fewer cases, 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 age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it enables our South Grand, St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the root cause of imbalance. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also come with several additional symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in achieving balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Humming or other noises in one or both ears, which can occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with changes in position, such as rapid changes in posture, 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 imaging studies 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, alongside your doctor if needed. Because of 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. A number of vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our South Grand, St. Louis, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique 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 could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy designed 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 designed to enhance vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. One such exercise 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 move your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises 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: Exercises for habituation are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe method that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear to their correct position, thereby relieving the dizzy spells associated with this condition. It entails specific head positions under the guidance of a professional, designed to relocate these crystals and provide 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 first, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

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

Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for South Grand, St. Louis, MO individuals suffering from 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. Our team comprehends the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in South Grand, St. Louis, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing 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 we do. Acknowledging 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 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, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in South Grand, St. Louis, MO include:

• 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
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

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 walking up the stairs feel challenging. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients regain their balance and confidence.

If you’re suffering from 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 get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.