Vertigo treatment in Woodhine Heights, MO. The condition known as vertigo is more than just 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 Woodhine Heights, 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 Woodhine Heights, MO therapists collaborate with your healthcare provider to offer personalized, evidence-backed care plans. Our goal? To help you regain balance and resume the activities you love, without the constraints of vertigo.

Whether you’re seeking vertigo treatment in Woodhine Heights, 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 start getting your best you back today.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is often described as a spinning sensation, where either you feel like you’re moving when you’re not, or it seems like the environment 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 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 associated with various ailments influencing the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that processes sensory information essential for maintaining balance and eye movements. Here are several 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 communicates to the brain about how we’re positioned and where we’re moving. BPPV alters these signals, causing vertigo.
• Meniere’s Disease: This condition of the inner ear often causes dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In Meniere’s disease, fluid accumulation in the inner ear results in pressure changes, affecting hearing and balance.
• 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 interferes with the transmission of sensory information from the ear to the brain, leading to vertigo and issues with balance.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Many people with migraines undergo episodes of vertigo or other types of dizziness even in the absence of an actual migraine. These episodes can impact balance and cause motion sickness.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo, which may appear soon after or long following 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 an essential step in treatment, as it allows our Woodhine Heights, MO physical and occupational therapists to tailor interventions that directly address 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 Symptoms

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

• Nausea or Vomiting: The disorienting 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 persons.
• Tinnitus: Buzzing or other noises in either ears, which may occur simultaneously with vertigo episodes.
• Hearing Loss: In cases related to Meniere’s disease or other inner ear conditions, hearing loss can be a symptom.
• Sweating: An episode of vertigo can lead to sudden sweating, independent of physical exertion or temperature.
• Nystagmus: Unusual or jerking eye movements, where the eyes might unintentionally drift and then realign themselves.
• Sensitivity to Motion: Difficulty with changes in position, such as quick movements, which can exacerbate vertigo symptoms.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Getting a professional diagnosis is the first step to vertigo treatment in Woodhine Heights, MO. It typically involves a comprehensive examination, which often includes hearing tests, balance assessments, and possibly imaging studies to rule out other causes. Our Woodhine Heights, MO physical therapists, skilled in vestibular rehabilitation, have years of experience 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, a new law which allows patients in Woodhine Heights, 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.

Woodhine Heights, MO Physical Therapy for Vertigo Treatment

Therapy is a cornerstone of vertigo treatment in Woodhine Heights, MO, offering relief to many patients through targeted exercises. Various vertigo treatment techniques assist in repositioning particles in the ears that cause dizziness and affect balance. Our Woodhine Heights, MO physical therapists will develop a customized treatment plan for your particular disorder. That could encompass 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 Woodhine Heights, MO may include:

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a focused form of therapy designed to alleviate both the primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves a series of personalized exercises aimed 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 improve 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 rotate your head from side to side or up and down. This aids in teaching your brain to maintain focus on an object despite movements.
  • Balance Training: Balance training exercises are crucial for individuals with vertigo, as they help enhancing steadiness and lowering the risk of falls. These exercises may start with simple activities like balancing on a single leg or walking heel-to-toe and advance to more complex tasks that involve walking with head movements or on uneven surfaces.
  • Habituation Exercises: Habituation exercises are intended for those who suffer from dizziness from 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 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.
• 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 to their original location, thus alleviating vertigo that are characteristic of this disorder. It involves specific head movements with the guidance of a professional, designed to relocate these crystals and provide relief from the uncomfortable sensations of dizziness.

For effective and safe vertigo treatment, it’s most advisable to consult our Woodhine Heights, 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 Woodhine Heights, MO

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

• Expertise and Personalization: Axes Physical Therapy features a team of skilled Woodhine Heights, 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 are dedicated to providing individualized care tailored to your particular needs and conditions.
• Comprehensive Care: From the initial assessment to the development of a personalized treatment plan, Axes Physical Therapy offers a holistic approach to vertigo treatment in Woodhine Heights, MO. Our team uses a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at reducing symptoms, improving balance, restoring 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 Woodhine Heights, MO patients are the center of everything we do. Recognizing 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 Woodhine Heights, 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 Woodhine Heights, MO include:

• Sprain and Strain Treatment
• Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Injury Rehabilitation
• Pain Management Services
• TMJ Treatment
• Herniated Disc Treatment
• Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
• Running Injury
• MCL Tear

Call Axes for Your Vertigo Treatment | Woodhine Heights, MO Physical Therapy

Vertigo can significantly impact 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 experts like Axes Physical Therapy, plays a crucial role in treating vertigo by tackling the underlying issues 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 help you navigate the complexities of vertigo and return to living a harmonious and happy life. Call the location nearest you or contact us online today.