Vestibular Exercises

If your unsteadiness or dizziness is brought on by quick changes in position or head movements, the exercises listed below should be practiced.

The rationale for the use of these exercises is best explained by an example.  You are familiar with the figure skater who is able to spin rapidly, stop suddenly, and skate off without difficulty.  He is able to do this because he trains or conditions his balance mechanism not to become dizzy.  These exercises can help you in a similar manner.

Stated simply, you must seek out and overcome those positions or situations which cause your dizziness.  Avoiding them will only prolong your convalescence.

Cawthorne's Head Exercises

Exercises to be carried out for 15 minutes, twice a day, increasing to 30 minutes.

• Eye Exercises:    Look up, then down -- at first slowly, then quickly -- 20 times.
• Head Exercises:  Bend head forward then backward with eyes open slowly, later quickly -- 20 times.  Turn head from one side to other -- slowly, then quickly -- 20 times.  As dizziness improves, these head exercises should be done with eyes closed.
• Sitting:   While sitting, shrug shoulder -- 20 times.  Turn shoulder to right, then to left 20 times.  Bend forward and pick up objects from ground, then sit up 20 times.
• Standing: Change from sitting to standing and back again 20 times with eyes open.  Repeat with eyes closed.  Throw a small rubber ball from hand to hand above eye level.  Throw ball from hand to hand under one knee.
• Moving About:  Walk across the room with eyes open, then closed 10 times.  Walk up and down a slope with eyes open, then closed 10 times.  Any game involving stooping or turning is good.