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

Vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can cause you to lose your sense of presence in the world, heavily affecting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Genevieve, 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. Genevieve, MO 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.

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. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to begin the journey to reclaim your best self today.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, 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 often associated with various ailments affecting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Listed are a few of the most typical causes of vertigo:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most common 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 interferes with these signals, causing vertigo.
Meniere’s Disease: This disorder 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, affecting hearing and balance.
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 obstructs the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues with balance.
Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from 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 nausea.
Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest shortly or long after 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 age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in managing the condition, as it allows our St. Genevieve, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the underlying issue of imbalance. Concentrating 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 present several additional symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from person to person. Common other symptoms include:

Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
Balance Problems: Difficulty in maintaining balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, especially in elderly people.
Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in either ears, which may occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, unrelated to physical exertion or temperature.
Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then realign themselves.
Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular therapy, have years of experience diagnosing vertigo. We’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, recent legislation which allows patients in St. Genevieve, 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. Genevieve, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical 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 directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your specific situation. 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 might feature:

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused treatment modality intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized 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 intended to better vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. An example is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you concentrate 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 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 tasks like balancing on a single leg or walking heel-to-toe and advance 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 due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is 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 gentle method that aims to move the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their correct location, thus alleviating the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this condition. It involves precise head movements under the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our St. Genevieve, 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. Genevieve, MO

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

Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled St. Genevieve, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in St. Genevieve, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing 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. Genevieve, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around St. Genevieve, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

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. Genevieve, MO include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | St. Genevieve, 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 standing up from a chair seem daunting. 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 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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.