Vertigo treatment in Wildwood, MO. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of dizziness; it’s complex and can make you lose your sense of presence in the world, severely impacting your ability to perform basic tasks. At Axes Physical Therapy in Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, 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.

Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, & Diagnosis

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where you might feel as though you’re moving when in fact you’re stationary, 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 a symptom of various ailments impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information vital for maintaining balance and eye movements. Listed are a few of the most typical causes of vertigo:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is a primary cause of vertigo and occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) move into the wrong position in the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV interferes with these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
• Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear may result in dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear causes pressure changes, impacting balance and hearing.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that send signals from the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation obstructs the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and problems with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines suffer from episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can affect balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Injuries 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 neurological problem (such as a stroke or brain tumor), certain medications that cause ear damage, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Recognizing the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in managing the condition, as it enables our Wildwood, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions that directly address the root cause of what’s affecting you. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can realize more lasting and profound relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

This condition can also present several other symptoms besides dizziness, showing significant variation in severity from one individual to another. Common additional symptoms include:

• Nausea or Vomiting: The unsettling sensations of vertigo frequently cause nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
• Balance Problems: Challenges in keeping balance, heightening the chances for falls, particularly in elderly persons.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or additional noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss is often a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Irregular or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might drift without control and then correct themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as standing up quickly, which can worsen vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Wildwood, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Wildwood, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, are trained to diagnose vertigo. We’ll assess the type and cause of vertigo to tailor specific treatment plans for you, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Thanks to Direct Access Physical Therapy, a new law which allows patients in Wildwood, 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.

Wildwood, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Wildwood, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques help directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Wildwood, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized 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 Wildwood, MO might feature:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized treatment method 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 interpret and process signals from the vestibular system more efficiently. Exercises include:
  • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are aimed at better vision and the capability 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 maintain your focus fixed on the target, you slowly turn your head from side to side or up and down. This helps teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object regardless of movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for people with vertigo, as they aid in 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 moving while turning the head or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to specific movements or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the goal of reducing the brain’s sensitivity to these triggers over time. An example is moving the head from side to side at a controlled speed for a set number of repetitions.
• The Canalith Repositioning Technique (Epley Maneuver): In cases of BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a safe procedure that seeks to reposition the dislodged crystals inside the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. It entails precise head movements with the guidance of a professional, aiming to relocate these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s best to meet with our Wildwood, MO physical therapists initially, who can show you what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

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

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Wildwood, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. We understand the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Wildwood, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, improving balance, reestablishing normal function, returning you to the things you enjoy doing most, and making you feel great in your daily life.
• Patient-Centric Approach: At Axes Physical Therapy, our Wildwood, MO patients are at the heart of everything we do. Acknowledging the challenges that come with vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel heard, valued, and supported.
• Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Wildwood, 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 Wildwood, MO include:

• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear
• ACL Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Vestibular Therapy
• Concussion Treatment
• Soft Tissue Mobilization

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Wildwood, 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 vital role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients regain their balance and confidence.

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 harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.