Vertigo treatment in The Gate District, St. Louis, MO. Vertigo is more than just simply experiencing dizziness; living with symptoms that are largely “in your head” can be even more frustrating as others aren’t able to see the outward signs of an injury. At Axes Physical Therapy in The Gate District, St. Louis, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We target root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of The Gate District, St. Louis, 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.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in The Gate District, 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. 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 either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, or it seems like the world 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 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 affecting the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing information about our position in the world around us. Listed are a few 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 communicates 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, a buildup of fluid in the inner ear causes pressure changes, affecting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. Such swelling disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines experience episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma 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 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 allows our The Gate District, St. Louis, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions targeting the root cause of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can experience more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo can also be accompanied by several other symptoms beyond dizziness, differing widely in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The confusing sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Trouble in achieving balance, leading to a higher risk of falls, particularly in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in either ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear issues, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with changes in position, such as rapid changes in posture, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in The Gate District, St. Louis, MO. It usually involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our The Gate District, St. Louis, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular therapy, 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. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in The Gate District, St. Louis, 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.

The Gate District, St. Louis, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in The Gate District, St. Louis, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. A number of vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our The Gate District, St. Louis, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular 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 The Gate District, St. Louis, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy intended to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms 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 effectively. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are designed to better 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 fix your gaze on a small target at eye level. As you maintain your focus fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in training your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities like balancing on a single leg or taking heel-to-toe steps and progress to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who experience dizziness due to self-motion or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to specific movements 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 steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle procedure that aims to move the misplaced crystals inside the inner ear back to their correct location, effectively reducing the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this condition. It entails specific head positions under the guidance of a professional, aiming to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our The Gate District, 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 The Gate District, St. Louis, MO

Choosing the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for The Gate District, St. Louis, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of expert The Gate District, St. Louis, 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 tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in The Gate District, St. Louis, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating 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 The Gate District, St. Louis, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we strive to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around The Gate District, St. Louis, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for those in need.

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

Other services we offer in The Gate District, St. Louis, 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 | The Gate District, St. Louis, 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 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 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 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.