Vestibular therapy in Affton, MO. 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 keep us from participating in the activities we love. Vestibular therapy, a specific kind of physical therapy, is pivotal in the management and recovery of inner ear problems that typically present as dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. This therapy is tailored to alleviate these symptoms. Through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods, vestibular therapy at Axes Physical Therapy in Affton, MO aims to retrain the vestibular system to make up for inner ear deficits, enhancing balance and minimizing problems related to dizziness and helping you return to the activities you most enjoy.

Our clinic provides personalized treatment plans to our Affton, MO patients, crafted after a thorough evaluation and designed to tackle the unique challenges every patient faces due to their vestibular disorder. If you or someone you know experiences vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, don’t hesitate to contact the Axes location nearest you for a complimentary injury screening or to request an appointment online now. Our goal is to provide customized care and comprehensive solutions for those experiencing vestibular challenges.

How the Vestibular System Works

Residing within the inner ear, the vestibular system plays a key role in detecting changes in our head position and movement, thereby allowing our bodies to understand where we are in space and traverse our environment correctly.

The vestibular system includes the semicircular canals and the otolith organs. While the semicircular canals detect rotational movements, like turning the head, while the otolith organs detect linear movements, like moving forward or sideways and your head moving up and down. These components work together, to send signals to the brain about our body’s position and motion.

Once received, the brain integrates these signals, integrating them with information from other systems, especially the visual system and proprioceptors in our muscles and joints. By synergizing these varied inputs, the brain ensures our ability to understand and react to our environment.

Often, individuals don’t recognize the importance of this system until it’s not working properly. 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 having to worry too much about the complex processes that keep us balanced and oriented. But, if the system becomes disrupted, it can lead to significant challenges, affecting our ability to just move around our homes comfortably.

Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

A wide range of symptoms can be indicative of vestibular disorders, varying in intensity and length. You should think about consulting a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in Affton, MO 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
• Headaches or migraines
• Confusion
• Light sensitivity

Common Disorders Affecting the Vestibular System

Despite its robustness, the vestibular system can still be susceptible to disorders. These conditions can significantly disrupt a person’s balance and spatial orientation. The common vestibular disorders our Affton, MO physical therapists treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is characterized by brief episodes of vertigo (a spinning sensation) usually triggered by head movement. BPPV arises when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in the canals of the inner ear, altering the ear’s ability to sense head motion.
• Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis: Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis 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: An ongoing condition impacting the inner ear, Meniere’s disease is characterized by periods of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
• Vestibular Migraine: Vestibular 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 continuous experience of unsteadiness or a spinning sensation, greatly affecting daily activities.
• Age-Related Vestibular Loss: As people get older, they can encounter a decline in vestibular function, causing balance issues and a heightened risk of falls.
• Falls: An increased risk of falls can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, notably in older adults.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Following a concussion, individuals might suffer from vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and trouble with focusing the eyes.

How Affton, MO Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

Vestibular therapy employs a range of treatment modalities — proven to work through science — intended 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 Affton, MO physical therapist. Presented here are some of the key approaches used in VRT:

• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Specifically used for treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), these maneuvers involve particular head and body movements. The goal is to move the reposition crystals in the inner ear (otoliths) back to their appropriate position. The Epley maneuver is an often-used example of this technique.
• Gaze Stabilization Exercises: Such exercises are vital for patients who struggle focusing their eyes due to vestibular disorders. Practices like the VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) exercises aid in enhancing the coordination between the eyes and the inner ear system, improving visual stability during head movements.
• Balance Training: Equilibrium is commonly disrupted in individuals with vestibular disorders. Exercises focused on balance training are intended to boost steadiness and minimize the risk of falls. The exercises gradually progress in difficulty and might include various surfaces, dynamic movements, and even eyes-closed exercises to strengthen and better the patient’s balance.
• Habituation Exercises: These exercises are designed for patients who experience dizziness as a result of certain movements or positions. Such exercises include repeated exposure to these specific movements to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to them over time.
• Functional Retraining: Functional retraining encompasses integrating vestibular exercises into daily activities to enhance mobility and independence. The aim is making the therapy applicable and useful to the real-life scenarios patients may face every day.
• Neck Mobility and Strengthening Exercises: Given that neck problems often accompany vestibular issues, particularly after a concussion, exercises to improve neck strength and flexibility are also included in the therapy regimen.
• Oculomotor Exercises: In order to tackle issues with eye tracking and movement, activities that focus on enhancing control, coordination, and focus of the eyes are employed. These are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.

Customized Treatment Options for Affton, MO Vestibular Therapy

Every individual’s journey with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a customized approach to treatment. Our Affton, MO physical therapists create tailored plans based on what has been proven to work and your unique situation, including:

• Individual Symptom Profile: Therapies are tailored around the specific symptoms and challenges you encounter.
• Severity and Duration of the Disorder: The intensity and length of therapy 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 Affton, MO

This is why Axes Physical Therapy is the top choice for vestibular therapy in Affton, MO:

• Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: At Axes Physical Therapy, we take pride in a team of highly skilled Affton, MO physical therapists who are experts 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, the journey of every patient are at the forefront. We understand that your condition and challenges are unique. Our approach is deeply rooted in actively listening and comprehending our patients’ specific needs and goals.
• Experienced Staff: The Affton, MO vestibular therapy team at Axes is not only qualified but also brings extensive experience to the table. Our therapists have been leading the way in physical therapy for more than 20 years. This depth of experience means that patients are in skilled hands, benefiting from extensive knowledge and a proven history of successful treatments.
• Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand the root 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, empowering you to return to your daily activities with confidence and safety.
• Community Trust and Recognition: As a community-based clinic, Axes has built a reputation within the Affton, MO community for our focus on patient care and positive treatment results.

Contact Axes Physical Therapy in Affton, MO for Your Vestibular Therapy

Coping with a vestibular disorder can be a tough and disorienting journey. These conditions not only affect physical balance and mobility but influence our capability to live in and interact with the world. Vestibular disorders often do not naturally get better and can deteriorate over time. Professional vestibular therapy in Affton, MO, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides an individualized approach to reduce symptoms, restore function, and get you return to the activities you enjoy, all while using treatment modalities that have all been backed by science.

If you or someone you know in Affton, MO is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or complications following a concussion, contact Axes Physical Therapy today. Initiating the first step towards treatment can be transformative. Contact us online or call the nearest Axes location to start your treatment journey.