Vestibular therapy in East St. Louis, IL. It can be disorienting and scary to have problems with your balance or coordination. It can be especially frustrating when issues like dizziness or other vestibular conditions keep us from participating in the activities we love. Vestibular therapy, a specific kind of physical therapy, plays a crucial role in managing and rehabilitating vestibular (inner ear) disorders that typically present as dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. This therapy is tailored to alleviate these symptoms. By utilizing evidence-backed treatment methods, vestibular therapy at Axes Physical Therapy in East St. Louis, IL strives to retrain the vestibular system to make up for inner ear deficits, enhancing balance and minimizing problems related to dizziness and getting you back to the things you most enjoy.

We offer personalized treatment plans to our East St. Louis, IL patients, formulated after a comprehensive evaluation and tailored to meet the unique challenges each patient faces as a result of their vestibular disorder. If you or someone you know is suffering from 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. We strive to give each patient customized care and targeted solutions to patients suffering from vestibular challenges.

Understanding the Vestibular System

Residing within the inner ear, the vestibular system plays a key role in detecting changes in our head position and movement, thus enabling our brains 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 are attuned to linear movements, like moving forward or sideways and changes in head position relative to gravity. Both parts work collectively, to transmit signals to the brain about where our body is located in space.

The brain processes these signals, merging them with information from other systems, especially the visual system and proprioceptors in our muscles and joints. This integration enables the coordination of eye movements, maintenance of posture, and preservation of balance.

Many people may not appreciate 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. But, if the system becomes disrupted, 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 think about consulting a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in East St. Louis, IL if you experience any of the following repeatedly or for a prolonged period of time:

• 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
• Ringing in the ears
• Headaches or migraines
• Confusion
• Light sensitivity

Common Disorders Affecting the Vestibular System

Although the vestibular system is strong, it’s not impervious to disorders. These conditions can significantly disrupt a person’s balance and spatial orientation. The common vestibular disorders our East St. Louis, IL physical therapists treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): The disorder is characterized by brief episodes of vertigo (a spinning sensation) usually triggered by changes in head position. BPPV arises when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) gather 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). The 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 instances of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a sensation 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 condition can be a result of various conditions, including vestibular disorders. It’s a persistent sensation of unsteadiness or a spinning sensation, greatly affecting daily activities.
• Age-Related Vestibular Loss: As people age, they may experience a decline in vestibular function, causing balance issues and a heightened risk of falls.
• Falls: A heightened chance of falling can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, especially in older adults.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: After a concussion, individuals often have vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and trouble with focusing the eyes.

How East St. Louis, IL Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

The practice of vestibular therapy involves a range of treatment modalities — backed by science — designed to improve the lives of those suffering form vestibular disorders. These techniques are tailored to your unique needs and are based on a thorough assessment by a skilled East St. Louis, IL 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 certain head and body movements. The aim is to move the move crystals in the inner ear (otoliths) back to their appropriate place. The Epley maneuver is one popular example of this technique.
• Gaze Stabilization Exercises: Such exercises are vital for patients who have trouble focusing their eyes due to vestibular disorders. Methods like the VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) exercises help improve the coordination between the eyes and the inner ear system, increasing visual stability during head movements.
• Balance Training: Equilibrium is commonly disrupted in individuals with vestibular disorders. Balance training exercises are intended to boost steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such exercises gradually progress in difficulty and may involve various surfaces, dynamic movements, and even eyes-closed exercises to strengthen and better the patient’s balance.
• Habituation Exercises: These are meant for patients who suffer from dizziness as a result of certain movements or positions. These exercises entail repeated exposure to these specific movements to minimize the sensitivity of the vestibular system to them over time.
• Functional Retraining: The process involves integrating vestibular exercises into daily activities to enhance mobility and independence. This approach focuses on making the therapy relevant and practical to the real-life scenarios patients may face every day.
• Neck Mobility and Strengthening Exercises: Since neck problems often accompany vestibular issues, particularly after a concussion, activities designed to enhance neck strength and flexibility are also included in the therapy regimen.
• Oculomotor Exercises: To address issues with eye tracking and movement, practices that focus on boosting control, coordination, and focus of the eyes are used. Such exercises are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.

Customized Treatment Plans for East St. Louis, IL Vestibular Therapy

Every individual’s journey with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a customized treatment plans. Our East St. Louis, IL physical therapists create tailored plans based on what is scientifically proven to work and your unique situation, including:

• Individual Symptom Profile: Treatment plans are formulated around the specific symptoms and challenges you encounter.
• Severity and Duration of the Disorder: The intensity and length of therapy are adapted according to the severity and chronicity of the disorder.
• Patient’s Lifestyle and Goals: Treatment strategies 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 East St. Louis, IL

Discover the reasons why Axes Physical Therapy is a preferred choice for vestibular therapy in East St. Louis, IL:

• Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: We are proud to have a team of highly skilled East St. Louis, IL 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 capacity to utilize 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 attentively listening to and comprehending our patients’ specific needs and goals.
• Experienced Staff: The East St. Louis, IL vestibular therapy team at Axes is not only qualified but also brings a wealth of experience to the table. Our therapists have been leading the way in physical therapy for a period exceeding 20 years. This depth of experience means that patients are in capable hands, benefiting from a vast knowledge base and a track record of successful treatment outcomes.
• Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with an in-depth examination to understand the root cause of the vestibular disorder. Following this, we design a customized treatment plan that may include various approaches 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 dedicated to enhancing our patients’ overall quality of life, facilitating 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 recognized reputation within the East St. Louis, IL community for our focus on patient care and positive treatment results.

Contact Axes Physical Therapy in East St. Louis, IL for Your Vestibular Therapy

Coping with a vestibular disorder can be a difficult and frequently disorienting journey. These conditions not only affect physical balance and mobility but impact our capacity to live in and engage with the world. Vestibular disorders often do not naturally get better and can worsen over time. Professional vestibular therapy in East St. Louis, IL, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides a specialized approach to relieve symptoms, recover function, and get you resume the activities you cherish, all while using treatment modalities that have all been backed by science.

If you or someone you know in East St. Louis, IL is dealing with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or complications following a concussion, contact Axes Physical Therapy today. Taking that first step towards treatment can be transformative. Reach out to the nearest Axes location by phone or get in touch with us online to begin your journey.