Learn how visual, vestibular, and cerebellar systems affect your balance, and how you can rehabilitate your balance through a variety of therapies.
There are three systems in your brain that affect balance: visual, vestibular and cerebellar. Each healthy system can be used to help the other regain balance in a broken system.
The Visual System, Your Eyes
First of all, protect your eyes so you don’t get foreign objects in them.
Cataracts can affect balance, so if you can control the cataracts, you can help your visual system. For example, diabetes speeds the development of cataracts. Being proactive and getting your blood work done consistently may help you notice any signs of pre-diabetes. It is easier to know if your body has too much or too little of something beforehand and then adjust in order to hopefully avoid diabetes. And then third, by wearing one contact lenses for distance and one for near, a patient starts to develop stress on their neck and that can affect balance.
The rehab would include protecting your eyes with sunglasses or goggles, taking the proper vitamins, Vit A, Lutein, Omega-3, Vit C, B-Complex. Do an annual eye exam if you use corrective eyewear.
See more about how to rehabilitate your balance through eye exercises.
The Vestibular System, Your Ears
The vestibular system is made up of the horizontal, anterior and posterior canals. Hearing can be damaged by too much loud noise, i.e. concerts, ear pods, loud working environment, military. When people travel, they sometimes develop vestibular neuritis that in turn damages the vestibular system.
When your vestibular system is off, there is a method called the Epley Maneuver that your chiropractor neurologist can do in a visit or two. Other vestibular-based therapies include standing on a disturbed surface, a big part of the chiropractic neurology practice. The deficiency of proper nutrition or supplementation such as Vit D increases vestibular problems. CoQ-10, Glutathione, the B Vitamins are all good to take for vestibular problems, too.
Learn more about Balance Disorders and Rehabilitation.
The Cerebellar System
The cerebellum is related to joints and muscles of the spine and body. If a joint is either fixated or sprained (such as whiplash), it can send an error message to the brain, but it’s important to know the difference because for some chiropractic neck adjustments should never be done, and for another, chiropractic neck adjustments are the only thing that will fix them. Vit E deficiencies can give an increase in balance disorders.
In neurological rehab, they find the pathway that works to mend the broken one. For example, if there is a visual injury, in neurological rehab they will use vestibular or cerebellar therapies. If you have a cerebellar injury, they may use visual or vestibular therapies.
In the following video, Dr. Burdorf gives a brief list of three things you can do to destroy your balance, and three things you can do to rehabilitate your balance.:
If you are dizzy or have unexplained imbalances, or if you know someone experiencing dizziness, headaches, vertigo or other unresolved conditions, we may be able to help you! Call our office at 480-951-5006, or schedule your appointment here.
Treating the root cause of your condition, not just your symptoms, is the fastest way to recovery and is the best way to obtain optimal health and wellness.
