Vestibular therapy in Edwardsville, IL. It can be disorienting and scary to have problems with your balance or coordination. It can be especially frustrating when dizziness or other inner ear issues keep us from participating in the activities we love. Vestibular therapy, a specialized form 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 specific therapy approach is tailored to alleviate these symptoms. By utilizing evidence-backed treatment methods, vestibular therapy at Axes Physical Therapy in Edwardsville, IL aims to retrain the vestibular system to compensate for inner ear deficits, enhancing balance and minimizing problems related to dizziness and helping you return to the activities you love most.

Our clinic provides personalized treatment plans for Edwardsville, IL patients, crafted after an in-depth evaluation and configured to tackle the unique challenges every patient faces due to their vestibular disorder. If you or someone you know is dealing with vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, we encourage you to reach out the Axes location nearest you for a no-cost injury screening or to request an appointment online today. We aim to offer individualized care and targeted solutions to individuals dealing with vestibular challenges.

How the Vestibular System Works

Situated in the inner ear, the vestibular system plays a key role in detecting changes in our head position and movement, consequently helping our brains to understand where we are spatially and traverse our environment safely and effectively.

This system consists of the semicircular canals and the otolith organs. The semicircular canals are sensitive to rotational movements, such as turning the head, and the otolith organs sense linear movements, such as moving forward or sideways and your head moving up and down. These components work collectively, to transmit signals to the brain about our body’s position and motion.

Once received, the brain integrates these signals, combining them with information from other systems, especially 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. In times when the vestibular system operates correctly, we can walk, run, and move through our daily lives (and favorite activities) without giving much thought to the complex anatomy that keeps 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 intensity and length. You should think about consulting a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in Edwardsville, IL 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

Although the vestibular system is strong, it’s not impervious to disorders. Such disorders can significantly disrupt a person’s balance and spatial orientation. Some of the most common vestibular disorders our Edwardsville, IL physical therapists treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is characterized by short periods of vertigo (a spinning sensation) typically triggered by changes in head position. BPPV occurs 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: These disorders 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 episodes 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 when not accompanied by a headache.
• Chronic Dizziness: This can be a result of various conditions, including vestibular disorders. It’s an ongoing feeling of unsteadiness or a spinning sensation, heavily influencing daily activities.
• Age-Related Vestibular Loss: As people age, they may experience a decline in vestibular function, causing balance issues and increased risk of falls.
• Falls: A greater likelihood of falls can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, especially in older adults.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Following a concussion, individuals often have vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and controlling the eyes.

How Edwardsville, IL Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

The practice of vestibular therapy involves a range of specialized techniques and exercises — proven to work through research — 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 Edwardsville, IL physical therapist. Here are some of the key approaches used in VRT:

• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Specially designed for treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), these maneuvers involve particular head and body movements. The goal 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: These exercises are essential 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: Balance is often significantly affected in individuals with vestibular disorders. Balance training exercises are aimed at enhancing steadiness and lessen 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: The purpose of these exercises for patients who encounter 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 boost 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: Given that neck problems often accompany vestibular issues, particularly after a concussion, exercises aimed at improving neck strength and flexibility are also integrated into the therapy regimen.
• Oculomotor Exercises: In order to tackle issues with eye tracking and movement, activities that focus on improving control, coordination, and focus of the eyes are utilized. Such exercises are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.

Customized Treatment Options for Edwardsville, IL Vestibular Therapy

The experience of each patient with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a personalized treatment plans. Our Edwardsville, IL physical therapists create specific plans based on the scientifically proven methods 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: Therapy intensity and duration are modified according to the severity and chronicity of the disorder.
• Patient’s Lifestyle and Goals: Rehabilitation approaches 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 Edwardsville, IL

Discover the reasons why Axes Physical Therapy is the preferred option for vestibular therapy in Edwardsville, IL:

• Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: At Axes Physical Therapy, we take pride in a team of highly skilled Edwardsville, IL 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 capacity to utilize 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 acknowledge that your condition and goals are unique. Our approach is deeply rooted in listening to and understanding our patients’ specific needs and goals.
• Experienced Staff: The Edwardsville, 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 more than 20 years. This depth of experience means that patients are in skilled hands, benefiting from extensive knowledge and a track record of successful treatment outcomes.
• Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand the underlying cause of the vestibular disorder. Following this, we develop an individualized treatment plan that may include different methods 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 devoted to bettering our patients’ overall quality of life, facilitating you to return to your daily activities with assurance and safety.
• Community Trust and Recognition: As a community-based clinic, Axes has built an esteemed reputation within the Edwardsville, IL community for our focus on patient care and positive treatment results.

Contact Axes Physical Therapy in Edwardsville, IL for Your Vestibular Therapy

Coping with a vestibular disorder can be a challenging and often disorienting experience. These conditions not only impact physical equilibrium and mobility but influence our capability 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 Edwardsville, IL, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides an individualized approach to relieve symptoms, restore function, and get you back to the activities you love, all while using evidence-based treatment techniques.

If you or someone you know in Edwardsville, 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. Call the Axes location nearest you or contact us online to get started.