Vestibular therapy in Greater St. Louis. It can be disorienting and scary to have issues with your balance or coordination. It can be especially frustrating when dizziness or other vestibular conditions take us away from the activities we love most. Vestibular therapy, a specialized form of physical therapy, is pivotal in the management and rehabilitation of vestibular (inner ear) disorders that often manifest as dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. This therapy is a tailored approach that focuses on alleviating these symptoms. By utilizing evidence-backed treatment modalities, vestibular therapy at Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis aims to retrain the vestibular system to compensate for inner ear deficits, thereby improving balance and reducing problems related to dizziness and getting you back to the things you love most.
We offer personalized treatment plans to our St. Louis patients, developed after a comprehensive evaluation and designed to address the unique challenges each patient faces due to their vestibular disorder. If you or someone you know is suffering from vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, reach out to the Axes location nearest you for a free injury screening or request an appointment online today.
Understanding the Vestibular System
The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, and is responsible for detecting changes in our head position and movement, thus enabling us to understand where we are spatially and navigate our environment safely and effectively.
The vestibular system is comprised of the semicircular canals and the otolith organs. The semicircular canals are sensitive to rotational movements, such as turning the head, while the otolith organs detect linear movements, like moving forward or sideways and changes in head position relative to gravity. These structures work in tandem, to send signals to the brain about our body’s position and motion.
The brain processes these signals, integrating them with information from other systems, notably the visual system and proprioceptors in our muscles and joints. This integration allows for the coordination of eye movements, maintenance of posture, and preservation of balance.
Most people probably never realize the importance of this system until its function is disrupted. When the vestibular system is working as it’s supposed to, we can walk, run, and move through our daily lives (and favorite activities) without giving much thought to the complex processes that keep us balanced and oriented. However, when this system is impaired, it can lead to significant challenges, affecting our ability to perform even the simplest of tasks.
Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders can present a wide array of symptoms, varying in severity and duration. You should seek a consultation with a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in St. Louis if you experience prolonged:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Blurred vision
- Hearing loss
- Fullness of the ear
- Motion intolerance
- Double vision
- Motion sickness
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Falling or stumbling
- Abnormal eye movements
- Fatigue
- Imbalance
- Floating sensation
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Headaches or migraines
- Confusion
- Light sensitivity
Common Disorders Affecting the Vestibular System
The vestibular system, while robust, is not immune to disorders. These conditions can significantly disrupt a person’s balance and spatial orientation. Some of the most common vestibular disorders our St. Louis physical therapists treat include:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This condition is characterized by brief episodes of vertigo (a spinning sensation) usually triggered by changes in head position. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in the canals of the inner ear, affecting the ear’s ability to sense head motion.
- Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis: Both conditions involve inflammation, either of the inner ear itself (labyrinthitis) or the vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis). This inflammation can lead to vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance.
- Meniere’s Disease: A chronic disorder that affects the inner ear, Meniere’s disease is characterized by episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Vestibular Migraine: This type of migraine is associated with vestibular symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, and balance disturbances, even in the absence of the typical migraine headache.
- Chronic Dizziness: This can be a result of various conditions, including vestibular disorders. It’s a persistent sensation of unsteadiness or a spinning sensation, significantly impacting daily activities.
- Age-Related Vestibular Loss: As people age, they may experience a decline in vestibular function, leading to balance issues and increased risk of falls.
- Falls: An increased risk of falls can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, particularly in older adults.
- Post-Concussion Syndrome: Following a concussion, individuals may experience vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and difficulty focusing the eyes.
How St. Louis Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment
Vestibular therapy employs a range of specialized techniques and exercises — backed by science — designed to alleviate the symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. These techniques are tailored to your unique needs and are based on a thorough assessment by a skilled St. Louis physical therapist. Here are some of the key approaches used in vestibular therapy:
- Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Specifically used for treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), these maneuvers involve specific head and body movements. The goal is to move the dislodged crystals in the inner ear (otoliths) back to their correct position. The Epley maneuver is a common example of this technique.
- Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are critical for patients who experience difficulty focusing their eyes due to vestibular disorders. Techniques like the VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) exercises help improve the coordination between the eyes and the inner ear system, enhancing visual stability during head movements.
- Balance Training: Balance is often significantly affected in individuals with vestibular disorders. Balance training exercises are designed to improve steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises gradually progress in difficulty and may involve various surfaces, dynamic movements, and even eyes-closed exercises to challenge and improve the patient’s balance.
- Habituation Exercises: These are meant for patients who experience dizziness as a result of certain movements or positions. Habituation exercises involve repeated exposure to these specific movements to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to them over time.
- Functional Retraining: This involves integrating vestibular exercises into daily activities to improve mobility and independence. It’s about making the therapy practical and applicable to the real-life scenarios you might face every day.
- Neck Mobility and Strengthening Exercises: Since neck problems often accompany vestibular issues, particularly after a concussion, exercises to improve neck strength and flexibility are also incorporated into the therapy regimen.
- Oculomotor Exercises: For addressing issues with eye tracking and movement, exercises that focus on improving control, coordination, and focus of the eyes are employed. These are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.
Customized Treatment Plans for St. Louis Vestibular Therapy
Each patient’s experience with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a personalized approach to treatment. Our St. Louis physical therapists create tailored plans based on what has been proven scientifically to work and your unique situation, including:
- Individual Symptom Profile: Treatments are designed around the specific symptoms and challenges you face.
- Severity and Duration of the Disorder: Therapy intensity and duration are adjusted according to the severity and chronicity of the disorder.
- Patient’s Lifestyle and Goals: Therapy plans consider the patient’s daily activities, work demands, personal recovery goals, and the activities they enjoy most that they would like to get back to.
Why Choose Axes for Vestibular Therapy in St. Louis
Here’s why Axes Physical Therapy is a preferred choice for vestibular therapy in St. Louis:
- Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of highly skilled St. Louis physical therapists who specialize in the field of vestibular therapy. Our expertise is not just rooted in our understanding of the vestibular system but also in our ability to apply this knowledge to create effective, personalized treatment plans.
- Patient-Centered Care: At Axes, each patient’s experience and recovery journey are at the forefront. We recognize that your condition and challenges are unique. Our approach is deeply rooted in listening to and understanding our patients’ specific needs and goals.
- Experienced Staff: The St. Louis physical therapy team at Axes is not only qualified but also brings years of experience to the table. Our therapists have been leading the way in physical therapy for over two decades. This depth of experience means that patients are in capable hands, benefiting from a wealth of knowledge and a track record of successful treatment outcomes.
- Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with a thorough assessment to understand the underlying cause of the vestibular disorder. Following this, we design a customized treatment plan that may include a variety of techniques such as balance training, gaze stabilization, and canalith repositioning maneuvers, among others.
- Commitment to Improving Lives: Axes’ mission extends beyond just treating symptoms. We are committed to improving our patients’ overall quality of life, enabling you to return to your daily activities with confidence and safety.
- Community Trust and Recognition: As a locally owned and operated clinic, Axes has built a reputation within the St. Louis community for our dedication to patient care and successful treatment outcomes.
Contact Axes Physical Therapy in St. Louis for Your Vestibular Therapy
Dealing with a vestibular disorder can be a challenging and often disorienting experience. These conditions not only affect physical balance and mobility but affect our ability to live in and interact with the world. Vestibular disorders often do not improve on their own and can worsen over time. Professional vestibular therapy in St. Louis, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides a targeted approach to alleviate symptoms, regain functionality, and get you back to the activities you love, all while using treatment modalities that have all been backed by science.
If you or someone you know in St. Louis is struggling with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or complications following a concussion, reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today. Taking that first step towards treatment can be transformative. Call the Axes location nearest you or contact us online to get started.