Vertigo treatment in St. Clair, 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 presence in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Clair, 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 St. Clair, MO physical and occupational therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in St. Clair, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, 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.

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 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 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 usually a symptom of various ailments impacting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing sensory information vital for maintaining balance and eye movements. Below are several of the most typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear communicates to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. 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, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear results in pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines experience episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can impact balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear soon after or long following the injury.
• Other Causes: More rarely, 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in managing the condition, as it enables our St. Clair, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that directly address the specific source of what’s affecting you. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can experience more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

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 unsettling sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges 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 alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as quick movements, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in St. Clair, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our St. Clair, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular rehabilitation, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. They’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law 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 treating vertigo in St. Clair, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our St. Clair, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific circumstances. That may include 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 might feature:

• 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 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 intended to improve 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 keep your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This assists teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they aid in improving steadiness and lowering 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 intended 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 induce dizziness, with the goal of reducing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle procedure that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. It involves precise head movements under the guidance of a specialist, designed 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 St. Clair, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

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

Selecting the right provider is crucial 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 expert St. Clair, 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 designed for 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. Clair, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back 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 strive to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, appreciated, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around St. Clair, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is within reach for anyone seeking help.

For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in St. Clair, 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 | St. Clair, 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 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 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.