Soulard, MO

Soulard, MO

Get back to the things you enjoy most with customized treatment plans for dizziness, vertigo, and other conditions.

Vestibular therapy in Soulard, MO. Having trouble with balance or coordination can feel disorienting and alarming. It’s particularly aggravating when dizziness or other inner ear issues 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 often manifest 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 Soulard, 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 things you most enjoy.

Our clinic provides personalized treatment plans for Soulard, MO patients, developed after a comprehensive evaluation and tailored to address the unique challenges every patient faces because of their vestibular disorder. If you or someone you know is dealing with vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues, feel free to visit the Axes location nearest you for a free injury screening or to request an appointment online immediately. We aim to offer personalized care and comprehensive solutions to patients experiencing vestibular issues.

How the Vestibular System Works

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is crucial in detecting changes in our head position and movement, consequently helping us to understand where we are in space and traverse our environment correctly.

This system consists of 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 your head moving up and down. These structures work collectively, to send signals to the brain about our body’s position and motion.

The brain processes 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.

Many people may not appreciate the importance of this system until it’s not working properly. 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 processes that keep 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.

Vestibular Therapy in Soulard, MO | Vertigo Treatment | Concussion Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Soulard, MO

Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular disorders can present a wide array of symptoms, varying in severity and duration. You should seek a consultation with a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in Soulard, 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
  • 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. Some of the most common vestibular disorders our Soulard, 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 occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) accumulate in the canals of the inner ear, altering 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). 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 episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a sensation 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 persistent sensation of unsteadiness or a spinning sensation, heavily influencing daily activities.
  • Age-Related Vestibular Loss: With aging, they often face a decline in vestibular function, resulting in balance issues and an increased risk of falls.
  • Falls: A heightened chance of falling 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 challenges in focusing the eyes.

How Soulard, MO Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

Vestibular therapy employs a range of treatment modalities — backed by science — crafted to alleviate the symptoms caused by vestibular disorders. These methods are tailored to your unique needs and are based on a thorough assessment by a skilled Soulard, MO physical therapist. Here are some of the key approaches used in VRT:

  • Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: Particularly employed for treating Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), these maneuvers involve specific head and body movements. The objective is to move the reposition crystals in the inner ear (otoliths) back to their appropriate place. The Epley maneuver is an often-used 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: Equilibrium is commonly disrupted in individuals with vestibular disorders. Exercises focused on balance training are designed to improve steadiness and reduce the risk of falls. Such exercises gradually progress in difficulty and might include various surfaces, dynamic movements, and even eyes-closed exercises to test and enhance the patient’s balance.
  • Habituation Exercises: These exercises are designed 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: 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 one might 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 incorporated into the therapy regimen.
  • Oculomotor Exercises: In order to tackle issues with eye tracking and movement, practices that focus on improving control, coordination, and focus of the eyes are used. Such exercises are especially important for those with oculomotor dysfunction.

Personalized Treatment Options for Soulard, MO Vestibular Therapy

The experience of each patient with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a personalized treatment plans. Our Soulard, MO physical therapists create specific plans based on what has been proven to work and your unique situation, including:

  • Individual Symptom Profile: Treatment plans are formulated around the specific symptoms and challenges you face.
  • 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 Soulard, MO

This is why Axes Physical Therapy is the preferred option for vestibular therapy in Soulard, MO:

  • Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: We are proud to have a team of highly skilled Soulard, 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, the experience and recovery process of each individual are at the forefront. We understand 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 Soulard, MO vestibular therapy team at Axes is not only qualified but also brings years of experience to the table. Our therapists have been leading the way in physical therapy for over two decades. This depth of experience means that patients are in competent hands, benefiting from a vast knowledge base and a history of successful treatment results.
  • Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with an in-depth examination to understand the root 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 dedicated to enhancing our patients’ overall quality of life, enabling you to return to your daily activities with confidence and safety.
  • Community Trust and Recognition: As a clinic deeply rooted in the community, Axes has built an esteemed reputation within the Soulard, MO community for our dedication to patient care and positive treatment results.

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

Managing a vestibular disorder can be a difficult and frequently 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 improve on their own and can deteriorate over time. Professional vestibular therapy in Soulard, MO, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides an individualized approach to reduce symptoms, recover function, and get you resume the activities you cherish, all while using evidence-based treatment techniques.

If you or someone you know in Soulard, MO is struggling with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or complications following a concussion, get in touch with 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.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • dorsaVi Video Motion Analysis
  • Trigger Point Dry Needling
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTYM)
  • Spine Specialty – Manual Therapy Certified
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Zac Schniers
PT, DPT, CMPT
Ashley Kraus
Front Office
Carly Donahue
PT, DPT, CMPT

Locations

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