Vestibular therapy in Liguori, MO. It can be disorienting and scary to have problems with your balance or coordination. It’s particularly aggravating 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 the management and recovery of inner ear problems that often manifest 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 Liguori, MO aims to retrain the vestibular system to compensate for inner ear deficits, thereby improving balance and reducing problems related to dizziness and helping you return to the activities you love most.

Our clinic provides personalized treatment plans to our Liguori, MO patients, developed after a thorough evaluation and designed to address the unique challenges every patient faces because of their vestibular disorder. If you or someone you know experiences vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, feel free to visit the Axes location nearest you for a complimentary injury screening or to request an appointment online immediately. Our goal is to provide personalized care and comprehensive solutions for those experiencing vestibular difficulties.

About the Vestibular System

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for detecting changes in our head position and movement, thereby allowing our bodies to understand where we are spatially and traverse our environment correctly.

The vestibular 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 detect linear movements, such as moving forward or sideways and changes in head position relative to gravity. Both parts work collectively, to transmit 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, particularly 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.

Often, individuals don’t recognize 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 having to worry too much about the complex processes that keep 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 intensity and length. You should seek a consultation with a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in Liguori, 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. These conditions can significantly disrupt a person’s balance and spatial orientation. Among the vestibular disorders frequently encountered our Liguori, MO physical therapists treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): The disorder is characterized by quick instances 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, impacting 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 periods of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and an experience of fullness in the ear.
• Vestibular Migraine: This kind 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, heavily influencing daily activities.
• Age-Related Vestibular Loss: With aging, they can encounter a decline in vestibular function, causing balance issues and increased risk of falls.
• Falls: A heightened chance of falling can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, particularly in older adults.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: After a concussion, individuals often have vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and challenges in focusing the eyes.

How Liguori, MO Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

Vestibular therapy employs a range of specialized techniques and exercises — backed by science — intended to improve the lives of those suffering form vestibular disorders. Such techniques are tailored to your unique needs and are based on a thorough assessment by a skilled Liguori, 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 specific head and body movements. The objective is to move the move crystals in the inner ear (otoliths) back to their correct position. The Epley maneuver is one popular example of this technique.
• Gaze Stabilization Exercises: Such exercises are vital for patients who experience difficulty focusing their eyes due to vestibular disorders. Practices like the VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) exercises assist in improving the coordination between the eyes and the inner ear system, improving visual stability during head movements.
• Balance Training: Balance is often significantly affected in individuals with vestibular disorders. These balance-enhancing exercises are intended to boost steadiness and minimize the risk of falls. Such exercises slowly advance 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 encounter 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: The process involves integrating vestibular exercises into daily activities to boost mobility and independence. The aim is making the therapy applicable and useful to the real-life scenarios one might face every day.
• Neck Mobility and Strengthening Exercises: As 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: In order to tackle issues with eye tracking and movement, exercises that focus on boosting control, coordination, and focus of the eyes are employed. Such exercises are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.

Personalized Treatment Options for Liguori, MO Vestibular Therapy

Each patient’s experience with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a customized approach to treatment. Our Liguori, MO physical therapists create specific 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: Therapy intensity and duration are adapted 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 Liguori, MO

This is why Axes Physical Therapy is a preferred choice for vestibular therapy in Liguori, MO:

• Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: Axes Physical Therapy boasts a team of highly skilled Liguori, 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 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 listening to and understanding our patients’ specific needs and goals.
• Experienced Staff: The Liguori, MO vestibular therapy team at Axes is not only qualified but also brings extensive experience to your treatment. 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 wealth of knowledge and a history of successful treatment results.
• Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with a thorough assessment to understand the underlying cause of the vestibular disorder. Following this, we create a personalized treatment strategy 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, empowering you to return to your daily activities with assurance and safety.
• Community Trust and Recognition: As a community-based clinic, Axes has built a recognized reputation within the Liguori, MO community for our dedication to patient care and effective treatment results.

Call Axes Physical Therapy in Liguori, MO 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 influence our capability to live in and interact with the world. Vestibular disorders often do not naturally get better and can worsen over time. Professional vestibular therapy in Liguori, 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 evidence-based treatment techniques.

If you or someone you know in Liguori, MO 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. Contact us online or call the nearest Axes location to start your treatment journey.