People suffering from inner ear problems might experience bouts of vertigo, waves of dizziness and general problems with balance. Doing inner ear exercises can help address these problems, which doctors classify as vestibular disorders. The Association of Vestibular Disorders has created a list of medical professionals that can help you treat your inner ear problem, or you can try home treatment involving different inner ear exercises. Always consult your doctor before pursuing at-home treatments.
Function
According to a New York Times article titled "Exercise Therapy Can Help Dizziness from Inner Ear Ills," the inner ear sometimes sends conflicting information to the brain, resulting in you feeling dizzy or having vertigo. Inner ear therapy involves using the exact movements that make you dizzy. Doing them in repetition can help the brain adapt to these signals.
Features
The New York Times article describes a home-treatment program in which you do habituation exercises in repetition. You can quickly move from standing to sitting. You can sit up and lie down, or turn in circles. Jumping and hopping also can help retrain your brain.
Expert Insight
According to an article by Dr. Timothy Hain titled "Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo" on the website Dizziness-and-Balance, several inner ear exercises can help resolve problems with dizziness and balance. The Brandt-Daroff series of exercises begin with you sitting upright. You then lie down on one side, angling your head upward. Stay here for 30 seconds or longer if you experience dizziness. Then return to sitting for 30 seconds before you lie down on the opposite side.
Considerations
People suffering from dizziness and balance disorders can supplement inner ear exercises with other exercises, according to Dizziness-and-Balance.com. For example, eye exercises refine the work of your vestibular ocular reflex, controlled by your inner ear. Tape a bright card or letter to the wall. Sit opposite the object and focus on it as you move your head up and down and then side to side.
Warning
Hain warns that if you experience neurological problems other than vertigo and dizziness while doing inner ear exercises, such as numbness, visual changes and weakness, consult your doctor.
