Vestibular therapy in Wood River, IL. Having trouble with balance or coordination can feel disorienting and alarming. 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 specific therapy approach is tailored to alleviate these symptoms. By utilizing treatment modalities proven to work, vestibular therapy at Axes Physical Therapy in Wood River, 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 activities you most enjoy.

We offer personalized treatment plans to our Wood River, IL patients, developed after a comprehensive evaluation and designed to meet the unique challenges every patient faces as a result of their vestibular disorder. If you or anyone 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. We aim to offer personalized care and targeted solutions to patients dealing with vestibular issues.

How the Vestibular System Works

Residing within the inner ear, the vestibular system is crucial in detecting changes in our head position and movement, consequently helping us to understand where we are spatially and navigate our environment correctly.

This system is comprised of the semicircular canals and the otolith organs. Semicircular canals respond to rotational movements, such as turning the head, while the otolith organs are attuned to linear movements, such as moving forward or sideways and your head moving up and down. These structures work together, to send signals to the brain about where our body is located in space.

The brain processes these signals, combining them with information from other systems, notably the visual system and proprioceptors in our muscles and joints. Such a combination facilitates the coordination of eye movements, maintenance of posture, and preservation of balance.

Often, individuals don’t recognize 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 having to worry too much about 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.

Signs and Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

A wide range of symptoms can be indicative of vestibular disorders, varying in severity and duration. You should think about consulting a healthcare professional like a physical therapist at Axes in Wood River, 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
• Ringing in the ears
• 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. Some of the most common vestibular disorders our Wood River, IL physical therapists treat include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): The disorder is characterized by quick instances of vertigo (a spinning sensation) usually triggered by head movement. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) gather in the canals of the inner ear, affecting 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). Such inflammation can lead to vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance.
• Meniere’s Disease: An ongoing condition impacting the inner ear, Meniere’s disease is characterized by instances of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
• Vestibular Migraine: Vestibular 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, significantly impacting daily activities.
• Age-Related Vestibular Loss: As people get older, they often face a decline in vestibular function, resulting in balance issues and increased risk of falls.
• Falls: A greater likelihood of falls can be a consequence of various vestibular disorders, notably in older adults.
• Post-Concussion Syndrome: Following a concussion, individuals often have vestibular issues such as dizziness, balance problems, and trouble with focusing the eyes.

How Wood River, IL Physical Therapists Use Vestibular Therapy in Treatment

Vestibular therapy utilizes a range of specialized techniques and exercises — backed by research — intended to improve the lives of those suffering form vestibular disorders. These methods are tailored to your unique needs and are based on a thorough assessment by a skilled Wood River, IL physical therapist. Presented 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 correct position. The Epley maneuver is one popular example of this technique.
• Gaze Stabilization Exercises: These exercises are critical for patients who have trouble focusing their eyes due to vestibular disorders. Methods like the VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) exercises aid in enhancing 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 designed to improve steadiness and minimize the risk of falls. Such exercises slowly advance 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 suffer from 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: As neck problems often accompany vestibular issues, particularly after a concussion, exercises to improve neck strength and flexibility are also included in the therapy regimen.
• Oculomotor Exercises: For addressing issues with eye tracking and movement, practices 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 Plans for Wood River, IL Vestibular Therapy

Every individual’s journey with vestibular disorders is unique and requires a personalized approach to treatment. Our Wood River, IL physical therapists create customized plans based on the scientifically proven methods to work and your unique situation, including:

• Individual Symptom Profile: Treatments are designed 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: 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 Wood River, IL

This is why Axes Physical Therapy is the top choice for vestibular therapy in Wood River, IL:

• Expertise in Vestibular Therapy: At Axes Physical Therapy, we take pride in a team of highly skilled Wood River, 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 ability to apply this knowledge to create effective, personalized treatment plans.
• Patient-Centered Care: At Axes, the journey of every patient are at the forefront. We recognize 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 Wood River, IL 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 skilled hands, benefiting from a vast knowledge base and a history of successful treatment results.
• Comprehensive Assessment and Personalized Treatment: Axes begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand the underlying cause of the vestibular disorder. Following this, we design a customized 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, facilitating you to return to your daily activities with assurance and safety.
• Community Trust and Recognition: As a locally owned and operated clinic, Axes has built an esteemed reputation within the Wood River, IL community for our dedication to patient care and successful treatment outcomes.

Contact Axes Physical Therapy in Wood River, IL for Your Vestibular Therapy

Managing a vestibular disorder can be a challenging and often disorienting experience. These conditions not only impact physical equilibrium and mobility but impact our capacity to live in and engage with the world. Vestibular disorders often do not improve on their own and can get worse over time. Professional vestibular therapy in Wood River, IL, like that offered by Axes Physical Therapy, provides an individualized approach to reduce 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 Wood River, IL is struggling with symptoms like dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, or complications following a concussion, reach out to Axes Physical Therapy today. Starting the journey to treatment can be transformative. Call the Axes location nearest you or contact us online to get started.