Vertigo treatment in St. Peters, MO. Vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can make you lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in St. Peters, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We attack the underlying causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of St. Peters, MO 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, without the constraints of vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in St. Peters, 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 is often described as a spinning sensation, where either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, or it seems like the environment around you is moving. Those who have experienced vertigo can attest it’s much worse than just light-headedness. 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 usually associated with various ailments influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain involved in processing information about our position in the world around us. Here are several of the most common causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the foremost 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 how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV alters these signals, causing vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: This condition 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 interferes with the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing 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 impact balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest soon after or long following the injury.
• Other Causes: In fewer cases, 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.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in treatment, as it enables our St. Peters, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the root cause of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can experience more effective and lasting relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also present several other symptoms besides dizziness, differing widely in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in maintaining balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or additional noises in one or both ears, which can occur simultaneously with 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, 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: Challenges with motion, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in St. Peters, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our St. Peters, MO physical therapists, specialized in vestibular rehabilitation, have years of experience diagnosing 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. Peters, 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. Peters, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in St. Peters, 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. Peters, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific 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. Peters, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises intended to retrain the brain to recognize and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to improve vision and the ability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. A common technique 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 helps conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial 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 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 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 diminishing the 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.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a safe method that aims to move the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to their original location, thereby relieving the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this disorder. It involves precise head movements with the guidance of a professional, designed to shift these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

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

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert St. Peters, 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: 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. Peters, MO. We employ a variety of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, getting you back 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. Peters, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, appreciated, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around St. Peters, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

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

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

• Shoulder Pain Treatment
• Back Pain Treatment
• Neck Pain Treatment
• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | St. Peters, 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 turning around feel challenging. 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 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 help you navigate the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.