Vertigo treatment in St. Louis, 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. Louis, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We target root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of St. Louis, MO physical and occupational 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, free from vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in St. Louis, MO, regardless of whether your condition has been ongoing for years or if it’s a recent development, you can trust in Axes. Call the Axes location nearest you, contact us online, or request an appointment to initiate your path to recovery today.

Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis

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 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 ailments affecting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Listed are a few of the most frequent causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals 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 disorder of the inner ear often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear causes pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling interferes with the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can affect balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm 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 affect the inner ear, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in treatment, as it enables our St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the specific source of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also come with several additional symptoms beyond dizziness, varying greatly in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or other noises in one or both ears, which can occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In instances associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss may be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in St. Louis, MO. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our St. Louis, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in St. Louis, 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. Louis, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in St. Louis, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques aid in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our St. Louis, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your particular 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. Louis, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment modality aimed at alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of tailored exercises intended to retrain the brain to interpret and process 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. One such exercise is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus 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 helps training 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 help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple tasks like standing on one foot 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: Habituation exercises are intended for those who experience dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of reducing the sensitivity to these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe method that aims to reposition the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their correct location, effectively reducing the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this condition. It entails specific head movements under the guidance of a specialist, aiming to relocate 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. Louis, MO physical therapists first, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

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

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled St. Louis, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in St. Louis, MO. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, improving balance, restoring normal function, returning you to the things you enjoy doing most, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our St. Louis, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Recognizing the challenges that come with 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. Louis, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach for anyone seeking help.

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. Louis, MO include:

• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | St. Louis, 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 standing up from a chair feel challenging. 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 self-assuredness.

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.