Inside your ears is a network of three loops called the semicircular canals. These are filled with fluid that reacts to the motion of your body and keeps your balance. As you move, the liquid in the semicircular canals also moves and pushes against nerve endings, a series of sensory, hair-like cells. These cells are activated when the liquid pushes against them. They tell the brain the exact position of your head, which prevents you from feeling dizzy. There are some exercises you can do at home or in your doctor’s office that stimulate the complex system inside your ears to help keep your balance.
Cawthorne Exercises for Vertigo
Vertigo is a condition that makes you feel like you are spinning. This is caused by an inner ear disorder. The Cawthorne exercises stimulate the nerve ending on the semicircular canals to let your brain know if you are spinning. The repeated exercises are meant to retrain the brain by telling it that you are not moving too quickly. You perform the five exercises one at a time, repeating each one three to four times with a rest period of two minutes before each repetition until the dizziness disappears.
The exercises are performed sitting on the edge of the bed. These are simple exercises consisting of the reclining straight back on the bed and looking up at the ceiling; reclining straight back and quickly turning your head to the right; turn your head quickly to the left while still reclining on the bed for the next exercise. Fourth and fifth exercises are to lie down on your right side, follow the sequence of repetition and then lie on your left side.
Canalith Repositioning Procedure First and Second
The canalith repositioning procedure is also for vertigo and involves a series of head movements that are held for 30 seconds. The exercises are performed in a doctor's office. The first movement is to shift from a sitting to a reclining position. Your head should be turned to one side by 45 degrees and then your doctor will help you to extend your head over the edge of the examination table at an angle of 20 degrees. The next movement is to turn your head slowly to the other side by 90 degrees while your head is still extended over the edge of the exam table.
Canalith Repositioning Procedure Third and Fourth
The third movement of the canalith repositioning procedure requires you to roll on your side with your head slightly angled, so you should be looking down at the floor. The final movement has you sitting up with your head slightly bent before you move it up to the center position. Once you have mastered the techniques of the canalith repositioning procedure, you can do these steps on your own at home.
Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises
Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises are different routines involving eye movements, both with eyes open and then shut, and alternating slow and rapid head movements with eyes open and eyes closed. These exercises can be done at home. Some of the exercises involve sitting down, walking and standing up, hand and shoulder movements, as well as activities that involve stooping down and coming up. There also are exercises that require you to turn from side to side and bend backward and forward.
References
- University of Washington: Anatomy of the Inner Ear
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; Balance Disorders; December 2009
- Jackson Ear Clinic: Positional Vertigo
- Mayo Clinic; Canalith Repositioning Procedure; July 9, 2010
- Dizziness-and-Balance.com; Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises; Timothy C. Hain; June 20, 2011
