Vertigo treatment in Valley Park, MO. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond simply experiencing dizziness; it’s complex and can cause you to lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Valley Park, 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 Valley Park, 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 resume the activities you love, free from vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Valley Park, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, you can trust in Axes. Reach out to the closest Axes location, contact us online, or request an appointment to begin the journey to reclaim your best self 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 often a symptom of various disorders impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that manages sensory information crucial for controlling balance and eye movements. Below are a few of the most frequent 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 sends signals to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV interferes with 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 leads to pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation disrupts the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can influence balance and cause nausea.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Harm to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear shortly or long after the injury.
• Other Causes: Less commonly, 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 Valley Park, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that directly address the specific source of imbalance. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can experience more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

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

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Difficulty in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, particularly in elderly people.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in one or both ears, which may occur alongside vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases associated with Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, independent of your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then realign themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with motion, such as rapid changes in posture, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Valley Park, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Valley Park, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor customized treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Valley Park, 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.

Valley Park, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Valley Park, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Valley Park, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique disorder. 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 Valley Park, MO may include:

• 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 designed 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 fix your gaze on a small target at eye level. As you hold your gaze fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This assists 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 help enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises often begin with simple tasks like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and progress 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 from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of diminishing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a steady speed for a specified number of repetitions.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver stands as a gentle procedure that aims to reposition the dislodged crystals within the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thus alleviating vertigo associated with this condition. It involves precise head positions under the guidance of a specialist, aiming to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Valley Park, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Valley Park, MO

Selecting the right provider is crucial when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a top choice for Valley Park, MO individuals experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Valley Park, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and are dedicated to providing individualized care designed for your specific 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 Valley Park, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to alleviating symptoms, enhancing balance, restoring normal function, returning you to the activities you love, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Valley Park, MO patients are at the heart of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Valley Park, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is accessible for anyone seeking help.

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

Other services we offer in Valley Park, 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 | Valley Park, 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 addressing the root causes and helping patients regain their balance and self-assuredness.

If you’re experiencing 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 balanced and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.