If you have a smart phone, you have probably noticed that there are functions in the phone that sense when you turn the screen or those that track your movement (walking, or in the car). Our brains have a similar way of noticing our movements – specifically the movement of our head – called the vestibular system.
This system includes sensory organs in your inner ear, connecting to the central nervous system. The primary function of the vestibular system is to maintain your sense of balance. Maybe you have experienced more dizziness when you have a head cold or sinus congestion. The sensory input from these inner ear organs is combined with input from your visual system as well as feedback from the nerves in your muscles and joints. All of this information is what keeps you in balance as you move through life.
If all is working well then you have easy, balanced movement. If any part of this system has bad information then you can struggle. The “fix” is not to clean your ears (no matter what you mother may have told you ;) Sometimes we have to refresh the information going to our brain to help clarify the information it is collecting about where we are in space – think of when you need to update an app for your phone so it does what you need it to do. There are many ways to do this.
One basic exercise is something called a VOR (vestibular ocular reflex) drill. Simply, you find a mildly challenging standing position (think feet close together or one in front of the other or even standing on one foot) – it needs to be something that challenges you so that you are paying attention AND stable enough that you feel safe to hold the position while you move your head. Now, pick some point in the distance to focus you gaze. Eye stay focused on your target, then you move your head in different directions (think of the 8-points of a compass). The head movement speed can be adjusted so that you continue to feel stable but challenged. These are canal stimulations. ***If you try this on your own, pay attention to how it makes you feel during and after the practice. Always back off or slow down if you start to feel icky.
Other techniques may work better for you. Check out more info in a video HERE.