Vertigo treatment in Wentzville, MO. The condition known as vertigo goes beyond a brief moment of 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 Wentzville, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment targets root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Wentzville, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and return to the activities you love, free from vertigo.

If you’re in search of vertigo treatment in Wentzville, 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 begin the journey to reclaim your best self today.

Understanding Vertigo

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 world 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 disorders affecting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for processing sensory information vital for maintaining balance and eye movements. Here are several of the most typical 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 head and body movements relative to gravity. 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 leads to pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• 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 obstructs the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, resulting in vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even without having a severe headache. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest immediately or sometime after 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.

Identifying the cause of vertigo is a pivotal step in managing the condition, as it allows our Wentzville, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions that directly address the specific source of imbalance. With a focus on the underlying cause, patients can experience more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Vertigo can also be accompanied by several additional 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 often lead to nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in keeping balance, heightening the chances for falls, especially in elderly individuals.
• Tinnitus: Ringing or additional noises in either ears, which can occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo may cause sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Abnormal or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then adjust themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as quick movements, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Wentzville, MO. It typically involves a thorough examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Wentzville, MO physical therapists, expert in vestibular therapy, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor personalized treatment plans for you, together with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Wentzville, 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.

Wentzville, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Wentzville, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques aid in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Wentzville, MO physical therapists will develop a unique treatment plan for your unique circumstances. That may include 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 Wentzville, 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 customized exercises designed to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to enhance 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 concentrate 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 helps conditioning your brain to maintain focus on an object even with movements.
  • Balance Training: Exercises focused on balance training play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they help improving steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities often begin with simple activities 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: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who experience dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of diminishing the brain’s 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): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle method that seeks to move the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thus alleviating the dizzy spells associated with this disorder. This maneuver 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 best to meet with our Wentzville, MO physical therapists initially, who can teach you what exercises are appropriate to do at home.

Why Choose Axes Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment in Wentzville, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of expert Wentzville, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing individualized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Wentzville, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at alleviating symptoms, improving 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 Wentzville, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, valued, and cared for.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Wentzville, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional 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 Wentzville, 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 | Wentzville, 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 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 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.