Vertigo Treatment in St. Genevieve, MO | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near St. Genevieve

Vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO. The condition known as 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. Genevieve, 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. Genevieve, 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 resume the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, 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 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 conditions affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing information about our position in the world around us. Below are some of the most common 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 interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear leads to pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder involves 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, resulting in vertigo and problems with balance.
Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines experience 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: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop soon after or long following 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it enables our St. Genevieve, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Treatment in St. Genevieve, MO | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near St. Genevieve

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also be accompanied by several other symptoms besides dizziness, varying greatly in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:

Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly persons.
Tinnitus: Buzzing or additional noises in one or both ears, which can occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss can be a symptom.
Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, independent of your activity level 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 rapid changes in posture, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in St. Genevieve, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular therapy, 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. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in St. Genevieve, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can come to Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.

St. Genevieve, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques help repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your particular circumstances. That could encompass 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. Genevieve, 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 designed 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 enhance vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. One such exercise is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you fix your gaze 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 assists 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 aid in improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple tasks like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe 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 experience dizziness from self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger dizziness, with the goal of reducing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled 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 procedure that seeks to move the dislodged crystals within the inner ear to their correct location, effectively reducing vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver involves specific head positions under the guidance of a professional, designed to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

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

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

Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert St. Genevieve, 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 individualized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back 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. Genevieve, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and cared for.
Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around St. Genevieve, 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 St. Genevieve, MO include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | St. Genevieve, 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 experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients regain their balance and self-assuredness.

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 return to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.