Vertigo treatment in Tower Grove, MO. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond 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 Tower Grove, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment extends beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Tower Grove, MO therapists work with you and your doctor to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.
If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Tower Grove, 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 start getting your best you back today.
Understanding 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. 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 a symptom of various disorders impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain involved in managing 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 the most common 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 disrupts 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 results in pressure changes, impacting hearing and balance.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves swelling of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and issues with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even when they’re not having a severe headache. These episodes can impact balance and cause motion sickness.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may develop shortly or long after the injury.
- Other Causes: In fewer cases, 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 the wear and tear of inner ear structures due to age.
Understanding the cause of vertigo is an essential step in treatment, as it enables our Tower Grove, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that directly address the underlying issue of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can achieve more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo can also come with several other symptoms beyond dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from one individual to another. Common other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Trouble in keeping 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 related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss is often a symptom.
- Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, independent of your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then realign themselves.
- Sensitivity to Motion: Challenges with motion, such as quick movements, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Tower Grove, MO. It usually involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Tower Grove, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, play a significant role in diagnosing vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, alongside your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Tower Grove, MO and throughout Missouri to seek physical therapy without a prescription, you can visit Axes for a free injury screening for your initial diagnosis and treatment.
Tower Grove, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Tower Grove, 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 Tower Grove, 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 Tower Grove, MO may include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy 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 effectively. Exercises include:
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to improve vision and the capability to focus on a stationary object while the head is moving. A common technique is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus 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 training your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple activities like standing on one foot or taking heel-to-toe steps and progress to more complex tasks that involve moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are meant for those who experience dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve continuous exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the brain’s sensitivity to these triggers over time. For instance, moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a specified number of repetitions.
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle procedure that aims to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving the dizzy spells that are characteristic of this disorder. It involves precise head movements with the guidance of a professional, aiming to shift these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to consult our Tower Grove, MO physical therapists first, who can teach you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.
Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Tower Grove, MO
Choosing the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Tower Grove, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Tower Grove, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the complexities of vertigo and are dedicated to providing personalized care designed for your particular 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 Tower Grove, MO. Our team uses a variety of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and having you feeling great in your daily life.
- Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Tower Grove, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, appreciated, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Tower Grove, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that expert vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.
For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a crucial step toward recovery.
Other services we offer in Tower Grove, MO include:
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
- Vestibular Therapy
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Tower Grove, 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 seem daunting. Physical therapy, especially vestibular therapy offered by specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients regain 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 assist you in managing the complexities of vertigo and get back to living a balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.