Vertigo treatment in St. Clair, MO. Vertigo goes beyond simply experiencing 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. Clair, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of St. Clair, 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 St. Clair, 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.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo typically presents as a sensation of spinning, 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. 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 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 commonly associated with various conditions impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing sensory information essential for controlling balance and eye movements. Listed are several of the most common causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny 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 disrupts these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This condition 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, affecting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues 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 nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear soon after or long following the injury.
• Other Causes: Less commonly, 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 pivotal step in treatment, as it allows our St. Clair, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions aimed specifically at the underlying issue of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also present several additional symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from person to person. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing 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, especially in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in one or both ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In instances associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then realign themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in St. Clair, MO. It often involves a thorough examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our St. Clair, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular therapy, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. We’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 St. Clair, 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.

St. Clair, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in St. Clair, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques help repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our St. Clair, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your unique situation. 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. Clair, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises designed to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to better vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. An example is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus on a small target at eye level. As you hold your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This helps teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they aid in enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple tasks 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 meant for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of reducing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a set number of repetitions.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe procedure that seeks to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their correct location, thereby relieving the dizzy spells associated with this condition. This maneuver entails specific head positions under the guidance of a professional, aiming to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our St. Clair, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in St. Clair, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled St. Clair, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends 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 customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in St. Clair, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, enhancing 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 St. Clair, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around St. Clair, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.

For anyone struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, reaching out to Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in St. Clair, MO include:

• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | St. Clair, 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 seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by experts 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.