Motion sickness can ruin any event for you, whether you feel sick in a car, plane or boat. If you experience motion sickness, talk to your doctor about potential physical therapy exercises that may alleviate or eliminate your difficulties. The inner ear is the body's balance center and sends signals to the brain regarding your body's orientation.
Repeated Motion
For dizziness or vertigo caused by motion sickness, repeated motion exercises performed under the guidance of a physical therapist may help your body adjust to changes in position through better control of your balance and sensory systems. While such therapies don't work for everyone, you can give it a try. Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises are designed to help reduce dizziness symptoms caused by imbalances in the inner ear. Practice these exercises daily prior to a trip to relieve dizziness and its resulting symptoms of headache, clamminess, nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. For example, practice eye exercises while sitting on a chair or bed. Look up, down and then slowly from side to side. Repeat the move at a slightly faster pace. Lower and lift your head or turn your head from side to side. The more often the body experiences such changes, the more used to them it becomes, thereby reducing symptoms.
Movement Practice
Your physical therapist may suggest more advanced Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises such as walking movements under careful supervision. For example, walk across a short space with your eyes open and then closed. Your physical therapist may ask you to bend over and pick up an object from the floor, again with your eyes open and then closed. Adaptation is the key focus of Cawthorne-Cooksey movements to help reduce sensations and dizziness caused by motion sickness.
Vision Therapy
Reduce motion sickness symptoms such as cold sweats, headache and clamminess by practicing vision therapy for several days or weeks before you travel. Vision therapy exercises involving visual alignment, tracking, focusing, movement and processing changes in position might help your condition. For example, hang a ping-pong or tennis ball from the top of a doorway jamb. Set the ball into a circular motion and track the motion with your eyes while keeping your head still. Avoid large movements of your head or changes in body position.
To help with your sense of equilibrium during travel, sit or stand where you can view the horizon. Watching the horizon is an effective method of creating a sense of equilibrium and balance in your body. Focus on a distant object and avoid looking at everything that passes you by, which increases your inability to stabilize your sensations.
Alternative Methods
Reduce your chances of experiencing motion sickness symptoms by engaging in alternative therapies for your symptoms. For example, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests physical exercise before travel. You may also find relief through acupuncture and acupressure therapies before travel. Insertion of acupuncture needles or pressure against the acupuncture point known as the pericardium 6 is believed to help reduce and prevent nausea. Press your fingertips against the inside of your wrist, about 1 inch above the junction of the center of your wrist on your forearm. Repeat as needed throughout your journey.
Considerations
Prevent or reduce nausea caused by motion sickness before you travel by avoiding foods heavy in grease, fat or acid. Eat a light meal. If you feel nauseous, nibble on unsalted soda crackers and sip a room-temperature cola. Try to avoid large movements and motions until your stomach feels more settled.
If you're feeling lightheaded or nauseated by motion sickness, you'll most likely be pale and experience a cold, clammy feeling on your skin. Sit down and place your hands on your knees. Lower your head down between your knees and if possible, place a cool cloth on the back of your neck. Doing so may help relieve distress and prevent vomiting.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Motion Sickness; Aug. 27, 2008
- Cigna; Motion Sickness; Apr. 2, 2009
- Goddess of the Sea Cruises: Sea Sickness and How to Prevent It
- Otoneurology Education; Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises; Timothy C. Hain, MD; May 2002
- ENT Associates of Corpus Christi; Dizziness, Vertigo and Motion Sickness; 1996
