Vestibular therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO. Experiencing balance or coordination issues can be unsettling and frightening. It can be especially frustrating when issues like dizziness or other vestibular conditions prevent us from enjoying our favorite activities. Vestibular therapy, a specialized form of physical therapy, plays a crucial role in managing and rehabilitating inner ear problems that typically present as dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. This specific therapy approach is tailored to alleviate these symptoms. Through the use of evidence-backed treatment methods, vestibular therapy at Axes Physical Therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO 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 activities you most enjoy.

At Axes, we specialize in offering personalized treatment plans for Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO patients, crafted after a comprehensive evaluation and configured to address the unique challenges every patient faces because of their vestibular disorder. If you or anyone you know is suffering from vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, we encourage you to reach out the Axes location nearest you for a free injury screening or to request an appointment online now. We strive to give each patient personalized care and targeted solutions to patients experiencing vestibular difficulties.

About the Vestibular System

Residing within the inner ear, the vestibular system is responsible for detecting changes in our head position and movement, thereby allowing us to understand where we are spatially and move through our environment safely and effectively.

The vestibular system consists of the semicircular canals and the otolith organs. The semicircular canals are sensitive to rotational movements, like turning the head, and the otolith organs sense linear movements, like moving forward or sideways and changes in head position relative to gravity. Both parts work together, to send signals to the brain about our body’s position and motion.

The brain processes these signals, merging them with information from other systems, especially the visual system and proprioceptors in our muscles and joints. In harmonizing these different signals, the brain effectively ensures our ability to understand and react to our environment.

Many people may not appreciate 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 giving much thought to the complex anatomy that keeps us balanced and oriented. Nevertheless, with an impaired vestibular system, it can lead to significant challenges, affecting our ability to perform even the simplest of tasks.

Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular disorders are characterized by a broad spectrum of symptoms, varying in severity and duration. You should seek a consultation with a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, 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

The vestibular system, while robust, is not immune to disorders. Such disorders can significantly disrupt a person’s balance and spatial orientation. The common vestibular disorders our Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO physical therapists treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This condition is characterized by short periods of vertigo (a spinning sensation) usually triggered by changes in head position. BPPV arises when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) accumulate in the canals of the inner ear, impacting 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 periods 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 condition 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 age, they often face a decline in vestibular function, leading to balance issues and a heightened risk of falls.
• Falls: A greater likelihood of falls can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, particularly in older adults.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Following a concussion, individuals often have vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and controlling the eyes.

How Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

Vestibular therapy utilizes a range of treatment modalities — 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 Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO physical therapist. Below are some of the key approaches used in VRT:

• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Specially designed for treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), these maneuvers involve certain head and body movements. The aim is to move the reposition crystals in the inner ear (otoliths) back to their correct position. The Epley maneuver is one popular example of this technique.
• Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are essential for patients who experience difficulty focusing their eyes due to vestibular disorders. Techniques like the VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) exercises assist in improving 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. These balance-enhancing exercises are aimed at enhancing steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. These exercises steadily 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: The purpose of these exercises for patients who suffer from dizziness as a result of certain movements or positions. These exercises entail repeated exposure to these specific movements to lessen the sensitivity of the vestibular system to them over time.
• Functional Retraining: This involves integrating vestibular exercises into daily activities to enhance mobility and independence. This approach focuses on making the therapy practical and applicable to the real-life scenarios you might 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 included in 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 employed. Such exercises are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.

Customized Treatment Options for Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO Vestibular Therapy

Each patient’s experience with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a customized approach to treatment. Our Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO physical therapists create customized 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 present.
• 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 Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO

Here’s why Axes Physical Therapy is a preferred choice for vestibular therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO:

• Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of highly skilled Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO physical therapists who have a specialization 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 needs are unique. Our approach is deeply rooted in attentively listening to and comprehending our patients’ specific needs and goals.
• Experienced Staff: The Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO vestibular therapy team at Axes is not only qualified but also brings years of experience to your treatment. 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 extensive knowledge and a track record of successful treatment outcomes.
• Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with a thorough assessment to understand the root cause of the vestibular disorder. Following this, we develop an individualized 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 committed to improving our patients’ overall quality of life, facilitating 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 Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO community for our commitment to patient well-being and effective treatment results.

Call Axes Physical Therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO 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 affect our ability to live in and interact with the world. Vestibular disorders often do not spontaneously improve and can worsen over time. Professional vestibular therapy in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, MO, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides a specialized approach to reduce symptoms, regain functionality, and get you resume the activities you cherish, all while using evidence-based treatment techniques.

If you or someone you know in Grand Center Arts District, St. Louis, 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. Call the Axes location nearest you or contact us online to get started.