Vertigo treatment in St. Charles, MO. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; living with symptoms that are largely “in your head” can be particularly challenging as others aren’t able to see the outward signs of an injury. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Charles, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of St. Charles, MO therapists work with you and your doctor 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 St. Charles, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, Axes is here to help. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to initiate your path to recovery today.

What Is Vertigo?

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 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 often associated with various disorders affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information essential for maintaining balance and eye movements. Listed are some of the most typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in canals of 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 often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation 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. This inflammation disrupts the transfer 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 influence balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop shortly or long after the injury.
• Other Causes: More rarely, 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.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is an essential step in managing the condition, as it enables our St. Charles, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions targeting the root cause of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also present several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in extreme cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in keeping balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in one or both ears, which may 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 may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control 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 treating vertigo in St. Charles, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our St. Charles, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in St. Charles, 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.

St. Charles, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in St. Charles, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques help directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our St. Charles, MO physical therapists will develop a unique 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 St. Charles, MO could involve:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized form of therapy aimed at 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 effectively. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at enhance vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. An example is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you fix your gaze 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 conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they aid in improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple activities like standing on one foot 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 due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. For instance, 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 gentle procedure that aims to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear to their original position, thus alleviating the dizzy spells associated with this condition. It involves precise head movements under the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, MO

Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy stands out as a top choice for St. Charles, MO people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled St. Charles, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing individualized care tailored to your particular 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 St. Charles, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, returning you to the things you enjoy doing most, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our St. Charles, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing 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 St. Charles, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional 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 St. Charles, MO include:

• 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 | St. Charles, 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 seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients restore their balance and confidence.

If you’re experiencing 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 help you navigate the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.