Vertigo treatment in Winfield, MO. Vertigo is more than just a brief moment of 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 Winfield, MO, our approach to vertigo treatment goes beyond temporary fixes. We attack root causes of your vertigo with vestibular therapy and other physical therapy treatment modalities. Our expert team of Winfield, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To assist you in regaining balance and return to the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.
Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Winfield, MO because of a years-long condition or if symptoms arose suddenly, Axes is here to help. Call the Axes location nearest you, 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 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 associated with various conditions impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain responsible for managing information about our position in the world around us. Below 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 small 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 disrupts these signals, causing dizziness and a spinning sensation.
- Meniere’s Disease: This condition of the inner ear often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, a buildup of fluid 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. Such swelling interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and problems with balance.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people who suffer from migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can influence balance and cause nausea.
- Head or Neck Injuries: Harm 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 condition affecting the brain (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 managing the condition, as it allows our Winfield, MO physical and occupational therapists to customize interventions aimed specifically at the underlying issue of imbalance. Concentrating on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable 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 other symptoms include:
- Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo commonly result in nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Difficulty in maintaining balance, increasing the risk of falls, especially in elderly people.
- Tinnitus: Humming or other noises in either ears, which can 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 can lead to sudden sweating, not related to your activity level or temperature.
- Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may unintentionally drift and then correct 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 Winfield, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which can involve hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Winfield, 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, together with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Winfield, 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.
Winfield, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment
Therapy is a cornerstone of treating vertigo in Winfield, MO, improving the daily lives of many patients through targeted exercises. Several vertigo treatment techniques assist in directly attacking the issues that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Winfield, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific 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 Winfield, MO could involve:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a targeted form of therapy designed to alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of customized exercises intended to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more effectively. 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. One such exercise is the “VOR X1 exercise,” where you focus 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 despite movements.
- Balance Training: Balance training exercises play a vital role for individuals with vertigo, as they aid in enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such activities may start with simple activities like standing on one foot or walking heel-to-toe and advance to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
- Habituation Exercises: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who suffer from dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. These exercises involve repeated exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that induce dizziness, with the objective of reducing the brain’s sensitivity of these triggers over time. An example is 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 is recognized as a gentle method that seeks to reposition the dislodged crystals within the inner ear back to where they’re supposed to be, thereby relieving vertigo that are characteristic of this condition. This maneuver entails precise head movements under the guidance of a specialist, designed to shift these crystals and offer relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.
For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Winfield, 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 Winfield, MO
Selecting the right provider is essential when seeking vertigo treatment. Axes Physical Therapy is a premier choice for Winfield, MO individuals suffering from vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues. Here’s why:
- Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Winfield, MO physical therapists specialized in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team comprehends the complexities of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
- Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the creation of a customized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Winfield, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques designed to reducing symptoms, improving 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 Winfield, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Acknowledging the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients feel heard, appreciated, and cared for.
- Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Winfield, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach 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 Winfield, MO include:
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Pain Management Services
- TMJ Treatment
- Herniated Disc Treatment
- Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
- Running Injury
- MCL Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation
- Functional Capacity Evaluation
Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Winfield, 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 specialized providers like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a vital role in treating vertigo by addressing the root causes and helping patients regain their balance and self-assuredness.
If you’re suffering from vertigo or related symptoms, remember that you’re not alone. Reach out to 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.