Vestibular Issues and PT options
Hi- with Covid really just passing through my area I have restarted my PT. I left off in December when they shut down. He left me with some good exercise options and I tried some of the other options so readily available on-line.
The good news is that I think I have been able to maintain strength pretty well and my accessments on that yesterday were pretty good. Where I was challenged more in balance. Walking forward while looking right or left or switching to looking up or down really put me off balance. My "exercises" for this next week involve more just sitting focusing on a dot straight in front of me while I move my head left and right and then up and down. I'm also to clasp my hands in front of me and stare at my thumbs as I rotate my trunk left and right. I'm to stare at my thumbs while the background shifts behind them. These seem so juvenile but I check on-line and it is a real thing ;-0
Will it help? anyone else have similar challenges and have you gone this route? or if you do see if it helps you...what can it hurt? No risk and it doesn't take long to do-
"The vestibular system is a sensory system that is responsible for providing our brain with information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation; it also is involved with motor functions that allow us to keep our balance, stabilize our head and body during movement, and maintain posture" This seems to describe the challenges many of us experience...what helps?
Some balance/vertigo issues can be caused by something called "benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)". This can be managed by undertaking the Epley Manoeuvre. So, a similar vestibular exercise. But your exercise sounds interesting.
A friend of mine had vertigo and found relief through some movements (sitting on the edge of a bed and suddenly throwing her head/body up and back with her head turned. Her husband is a Dr so had good home support and advice. It was discovered she had a benign brain tumor and once that was removed it hasn't recurred and she is doing well. My step-dad (in his 80's) also recently experienced vertigo and resolved it more just through time but now he is aware of these movements if it recurs. I don't really have vertigo (I did once in my teens when I had the flu- it was awful!) but rather get off kilter if I try to walk and turn my head to look at something. Some can't walk and chew gum...I can't walk and turn my head! He said these exercises could help- we'll see. Can't see what it will hurt to try!