Vertigo treatment in Spanish Lake, 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, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Spanish Lake, 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 Spanish Lake, 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, without the constraints of vertigo.
If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Spanish Lake, 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.
Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis
Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where you might feel as though you’re moving when in fact you’re stationary, or it seems like the environment 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 associated with various disorders impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing information about our position in the world around us. Listed are a few of the most frequent causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when small 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 disrupts 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, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear causes pressure changes, impacting 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 problems with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with 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 nausea.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.
Recognizing the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it enables our Spanish Lake, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions targeting the root cause 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
This condition can also come with several other symptoms besides dizziness, differing widely in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Trouble in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
- Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
- Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss may be a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then correct themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Spanish Lake, MO. It often involves a comprehensive examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Spanish Lake, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular rehabilitation, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Spanish Lake, 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.
Spanish Lake, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Spanish Lake, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Spanish Lake, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your particular 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 Spanish Lake, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused treatment method intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises aimed to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to better vision and the capability 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 keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This helps training your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for people with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple tasks like balancing on a single leg or taking heel-to-toe steps and advance to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who experience dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the objective of diminishing 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.
- The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe method that aims to reposition the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, thus alleviating vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. It entails specific head positions with the guidance of a specialist, aiming to shift these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Spanish Lake, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Spanish Lake, MO
Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Spanish Lake, MO people suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Spanish Lake, MO physical therapists specialized 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 specific needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Spanish Lake, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, restoring normal function, returning you to the things you enjoy doing most, and making you feel great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Spanish Lake, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Spanish Lake, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is within reach for those in need.
For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Spanish Lake, 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
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Spanish Lake, MO Physical Therapy
Vertigo can significantly impact 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 addressing the root causes and helping patients regain their balance and confidence.
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 assist you in managing the complexities of vertigo and return to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.