The Vestibular System – Part 2

Vestibular Rehabilitation

Today I would like to continue our discussion about a really cool part of the brain, the vestibular system. If you haven’t read part 1 – The Vestibular System, Critical To Your Health, you should look at that first. In part 2, I want to provide an overview of vestibular rehabilitation.

An Example of Normal Vestibular Function

To begin, lets look at normal vestibular function. Imagine you have an open book in your hands right now (or you can pick up a book if you’re a hands on person). If you quickly move that book around you’ll find that the letters and text will become blurry and hard to track. On the other hand, if you hold the book stationary but move your head instead, you’ll find that you are still able to keep the text in focus. This is due to your vestibular system. We rely heavily on vision in concert with data we take in from other sensory organs, like your inner ear, to properly function.

The Rehabilitation Process

When these systems are not working, it can be very uncomfortable. You might experience vertigo, nausea, or other discomforts. It is important that we take care of the vestibular system. Here at The Neuro Clinic we utilize a number of different devices and therapies to bring a lagging vestibular system up to par. We might use rotational exercises or movements to stimulate vestibular feedback. You may require an even simpler therapy to begin in which case we would have you stare at a fixed point and move your head side to side.

Finding The Appropriate Therapy

The appropriate therapy is dictated by weakness or dysfunction we identify in our neurologic exam. We find exactly where the problem is coming from and fix it with the proper therapy. If you are experiencing dizziness, nausea, or anxiety, schedule an appointment and let us help you.

To learn more about your nervous system, visit our Educational Blog.