Vertigo is a challenging condition to live with because it can make you feel off balance and as if you’re falling. This is a problem because it can lead to actual falls and other issues, such as driving errors.
Vertigo often causes people to lead sedentary lives due to fear of losing balance during physical activities. This can lead to pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints that slowly grows worse over time.
It’s important to find treatment for vertigo if you’ve been diagnosed with it. Fortunately, you have options.
Treating vertigo with physical therapy
Treatments for vertigo vary depending on the severity of your condition and personal factors like age, weight and medical history. Many people with vertigo can benefit from physical therapy.
Physical therapists can guide vertigo patients through vestibular rehabilitation, which is a form of physical therapy that emphasizes treating the symptoms of vestibular conditions like vertigo.
Vestibular rehabilitation looks different for everyone depending on their condition, but you can generally expect it to include:
- Gaze stabilization — Vertigo can make it difficult for you to focus on an object, especially when it’s moving. The objective of gaze stabilization is to help you focus on objects by having you move your head while fixing your vision on a singular point. As you progress through this treatment, your physical therapist will introduce more movements and motions to help your brain get used to focusing while suffering from vertigo.
- Habituation exercises — The goal of habituation exercises is to expose you to movements in a controlled environment that would typically cause you to lose balance. As you progress through this treatment, your physical therapist will introduce more training elements to help you grow used to a variety of environments.
- Stretches and exercises — Stretching and exercising can improve the strength and flexibility of your muscles. This helps provide support and stability for your body, so you’re better able to remain on your feet when you are dizzy or you lose balance.
Visit Excel Sports and Physical Therapy in O’Fallon, MO, for vertigo treatment
Vertigo can make life challenging, but you can overcome many of these challenges with the help of a physical therapist. Our team at Excel Sports and Physical Therapy can help you recover from vestibular conditions like vertigo. Contact our team today for more information about vertigo treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
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