Vertigo Exercises

Vertigo is a sudden feeling that you are unsteady or that environment around you is moving. It is generally for a short duration.


Common Symptoms are: Dizziness, light headedness, loss of balance, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting etc.

CAUSES

It stems from inner ear, more specifically an organ called the vestibular labyrinth.This tiny organ uses fine, hair-like sensor monitor that detect movement of the head.They also have tiny crystals made up of calcium carbonate that break due to ageing or injury and get dislodged.This movement of crystals causes the spinning effect.

TYPES
Peripheral causes: infection, trauma, migraine, allergies, tumor, abnormal fluid.
Central: tumor, trauma to brain or spinal cord.

BRANDT-DAROFF EXERCISE

EXERCISES

1) BRANDT-DAROFF EXERCISE
Its one of the home excercises.
Sit on a bench with feet on the floor.
Quickly lie on right side and then stay till dizziness passes.
Sit back up and stay till dizziness passes.
Repeat similar exercise on left side. Do 10-20 repetitions.

2) CANAL REPOSITIONING MANEUVER, CANALITH RE-POSITIONING


Head exercise done in clinic with help of physiotherapist.
GOAL: to move crystals out of inner ear

Start by sitting and looking forward while an assistant stands behind you. Next lie down with head over edge of the table at 45 degree to left.
Turn your head 45 degree right. Roll 135 degree until body faces downwards.Then situp without changing  head position.Turn your head forward and tilt down 20 degrees.
Repeat in other direction.

3) CAWTHORNE- COOKSEY EYE EXERCISE
This exercise gives your brain to adapt with eye movement.Gradually brain learn to work around inner ear problem which causes symptoms.

REASON FOR EYE EXERCISE
Trauma to inner ear gives a false signal to brain which makes it think that you or your surrounding are moving but in reality you arent.
The eye exercise helps to adapt brain to these false signals and work around then to lessen symptoms.

EXERCISES
1) Sit on chair without moving head,look up and down.20 repetitions  gradually increase the speed.
2) Look left then right without moving the head
3) Extend one arm in front and hold your index finger.Focus your eyes on your finger.Keep moving your finger with eyes focused on finger towards the face and then slowly out again.
4) Incorporate head movement with eye turn head one side looking over your shoulder,turn other side.

4) WALKING EXERCISE
Though walking seems to be a normal activity but dangerous for people with vertigo.

Walk back and forth with eyes open and then with someone around with eyes closed.Same way walk up and down stair or hill.



5) GAZE STABILIZATION
It helps to improve vision and helps to focus on stationaly objects'
Write a letter or an alphabet on paper and hold the paper at your eye level.1-2" high. Gaze at letter while moving head side to side. gradually increase the speed.
If dizzy stop and take rest.
This can also be performed n form of thumb tracking,

5) NODDING
Taichi movement  helps to improve balance
stand with back straight look forward hold onto wall or chair back if you are unsteady on feet.
Take deep breath with eyes open while exhaling slowly lower your chin to chest as if you are nodding.Slowly raise your head back to straight position while inhaling.

Vertigo is not completely curable but the exercises done on regular basis surely will help you to decrease the symptoms and lead a near normal life.

STAY FIT STAY HEALTHY

CHEERS!!!

DISCLAIMER: Refer your physician and physiotherapist before attempting these exercises.