If you’ve ever stood up and felt like the room was spinning, then you’ve experienced a balance issue called vertigo. For most people, this issue is a temporary one that may be related to an inner ear problem. However, there are inner ear, brain and nervous system issues that can lead to long-term vertigo. If you’re looking for help treating vertigo in Creve Coeur, Missouri, a physical therapist can offer two treatment options designed to help you.
1. Cawthorne head exercises
One physical therapy option that can help with vertigo is Cawthorne head exercises. Also called vestibular physical therapy, these exercises were introduced in the 1940s, and they’ve been used successfully by therapists ever since. The main goal of vestibular physical therapy is to reduce vertigo by improving your control over the position of your eyes and head as you move.
To achieve this goal, a physical therapist may first have you perform simple movements like slowly moving your eyes or head up, down, and side to side. Once you’re no longer feeling vertigo while doing these movements, more advanced movements will be used. Your therapist may have you slowly stand up from and sit down in a chair, and this movement will be repeated several times. The key things to remember when doing vestibular physical therapy are to go slowly and do your assigned exercises as often as possible.
2. Epley maneuver
Vertigo can also be treated by a type of physical therapy called the Epley maneuver. Developed by Dr. John Epley in the 1980s, this treatment option is typically performed by a trained physical therapist. You’re typically asked to sit on an examination table for this therapy, and the therapist will then move your head through various movements.
The goal of the Epley maneuver is to shift crystals in the inner ear into a position where they aren’t causing vertigo. People who experience shifting inner ear crystals have a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Typically, this condition will go away on its own, but until it does, your therapist can use the Epley maneuver to help you treat the vertigo it causes.
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy offers physical therapy for vertigo in Creve Coeur, MO
Our team at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can help patients in Creve Coeur deal with vertigo. Our therapists are trained in therapy techniques like the Epley maneuver and Cawthorne head exercises that can treat this balance issue. We can also help you find treatment for many other common issues, including:
Take the next step to get our help. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Our Locations
FAQ
Conditions Library
