Womack, MO

Womack, MO

Get back to the activities you love with tailored vertigo treatment in St. Louis.

Vertigo treatment in Womack, MO. Vertigo is more than just simply experiencing dizziness; it’s a complex condition that can make you lose your sense of being in the world, severely impacting your daily life. At Axes Physical Therapy in Womack, 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 Womack, MO physical and occupational therapists work with you and your doctor 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 Womack, 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 begin the journey to reclaim your best self 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 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 commonly a symptom of various ailments impacting the vestibular system, comprising parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information essential 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 head and body movements relative to gravity. BPPV alters these signals, causing vertigo.
  • Meniere’s Disease: This condition 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 hearing and balance.
  • Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: This disorder entails swelling of the inner ear or the nerves linking the inner ear to the brain. This inflammation interferes with the transfer of sensory information from the ear to the brain, causing vertigo and issues with balance.
  • Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with 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: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may manifest immediately or sometime after 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 cause ear damage, or age-related degeneration of the inner ear structures.

Understanding the cause of vertigo is a crucial step in managing the condition, as it enables our Womack, MO physical and occupational therapists to personalize interventions targeting the underlying issue of what’s affecting you. By focusing on the underlying cause, patients can realize more profound and durable relief from their symptoms.

Vertigo Treatment in Womack, MO | Vestibular Therapy | Physical Therapy for Vertigo Near Womack

Vertigo Symptoms

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

  • Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting sensations of vertigo often lead to nausea and, in serious cases, vomiting.
  • Balance Problems: Challenges in achieving balance, increasing the risk of falls, especially in elderly persons.
  • Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in either ears, which can occur concurrently with vertigo episodes.
  • Hearing Loss: In instances related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear problems, hearing loss may be a symptom.
  • Sweating: An episode of vertigo might trigger sudden sweating, unrelated to your activity level or temperature.
  • Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes may drift without control and then realign themselves.
  • Sensitivity to Motion: Problems with motion, such as standing up quickly, which can intensify vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting the correct diagnosis is the first step to treating vertigo in Womack, MO. It often involves a thorough examination, which may include hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly MRIs or X-Rays to rule out other causes. Our Womack, MO physical therapists, specialized 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, in tandem with your doctor if needed. Because of Direct Access Physical Therapy, recent legislation which allows patients in Womack, 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.

Womack, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Womack, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques aid in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Womack, MO physical therapists will develop a personalized treatment plan for your specific situation. 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 Womack, MO could involve:

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused treatment method aimed at alleviate both the both acute and chronic symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of tailored exercises designed to retrain the brain to process and recognize signals from the vestibular system more effectively. Exercises include:
    • Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are intended to better 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 turn your head from side to side or up and down. This assists 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 improving steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises often begin 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: Exercises for habituation are meant for those who suffer from dizziness due to their own movement or from visual stimuli. Such activities involve continuous exposure to certain motions or visual stimuli that trigger 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 controlled speed for a specified number of repetitions.
  • Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (Epley Maneuver): For patients diagnosed with BPPV, the Epley Maneuver is recognized as a gentle procedure that seeks to move the misplaced crystals within the inner ear back to their original location, thus alleviating vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. This maneuver involves precise head movements with the guidance of a professional, designed to shift these crystals and provide relief from the unsettling sensations of dizziness.

For safe and effective vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to meet with our Womack, MO physical therapists initially, who can guide you on what exercises are safe for you to do at home.

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

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

  • Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of skilled Womack, MO physical therapists with specializations in vestibular disorders and post-concussion syndrome. Our team of occupational and physical therapists understands the nuances of vertigo and commit to providing personalized care designed for your particular needs and conditions.
  • Comprehensive Care: Starting with your first evaluation to the creation of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to vertigo treatment in Womack, MO. We employ a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, enhancing balance, restoring 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 Womack, MO patients are the center of everything they do. Recognizing the challenges that accompany vestibular disorders, we aim to create a caring environment where patients feel understood, valued, and supported.
  • Accessibility: With multiple locations in and around Womack, MO, Axes Physical Therapy ensures that professional vertigo treatment is within reach for those in need.

For anyone experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems, contacting Axes Physical Therapy can be a significant step toward recovery.

Other services we offer in Womack, MO include:

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Womack, 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 crucial role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues and helping patients restore 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.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Occupational Therapy
    • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Certified Hand Therapy
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Spine Specialty – Certified Manual Therapy
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Therapy
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Cassandra Wadlow
Front Office
Dena Rose
PT, CMPT, CHT
Anthony Meyer
PT, DPT, CMPT
Derrick Wolk
Partner, Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
Kimberly Helm
Front Office Supervisor
Lisa Bell
Front Office

Locations

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