Exercises for Vestibular Problems

The vestibular system (found in the inner ear) is in charge of sending messages to the brain in order for a person to maintain balance and posture (equilibrium) in relationship to the force of gravity. Another task of the vestibular system is to control eye movements so that images remain focused and steady. If this system is not working properly, new patterns of movement are used to compensate for the change in signals. The outcome for this dysfunction are symptoms of dizziness, whether it is a spinning sensation (vertigo) or an unsteady feeling (dizziness), and nausea.

How Does VRT Exercise Help?

• VRT stands for vestibular rehabilitation therapy. A qualified therapist evaluates a patient for balance, their movements and how they compensate their disabilities. An individualized treatment plan is then devised to include head, eye and body exercises to be done at therapy and then followed at home. The purpose of these exercises are to loosen up the muscles, train movement of the eyes and to practice head movements that cause dizziness, hoping to gradually overcome the disability. In other words, the exercises retrain the brain to accept and process the signals it receives from the vestibular system and desensitizes the balance system from the dizzy symptoms.

Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises

• These exercises start slowly and progress to a rapid pace. Some exercises may cause an increase of symptoms at first, but with time the vestibular system improves and the symptoms decrease. Most patients are asked to do exercises working up to 20 times each.

Eye Excercises

• Eye exercises train the movement of the eyes independent of the head. They should be done first very slowly and then increase to rapid eye motions. To begin, look up and then down. Then, with your eyes, look from one side to the other side. Focus on your thumb at arm's length. Move the thumb closer toward you and then back again.

Head Exercises

• Head exercises are used to bring on dizziness in order for the brain to compensate. Begin these exercises by bending the head forward and backward with the eyes open. Some therapists ask patients to do this exercise with the eyes closed as well. Next, turn the shoulders to the right and then to the left. Last, as you sit in a chair, bend forward and pretend to pick up objects from the floor and then sit up tall in your seat.

Standing Exercises

• Start from a sitting position and then stand up. Go back to a sitting position again. Do this exercise several times with your eyes open and then repeat the motions with your eyes closed. For eye-hand coordination, throw a small rubber ball from one hand to the next about eye level. As your balance improves practice walking up slopes and steps.

Moving Around

• These movement exercises help patients to get around in both daylight and in the dark according to if the eyes are opened or closed. Find a safe path and begin these exercises. Move across the room with your eyes open, then with your eyes closed. To practice balance, stand on one foot with the eyes open, then with the eyes closed. Practice walking heel to toe to the other side of the room with your eyes open. Again, repeat this exercise with the eyes closed.