Dizziness and Vertigo: Dizziness is a very general term that refers to a disturbance of balance.

Fainting attacks, heart problems, thyroid problems, blood problems (like anemia) and brain problems can all give rise to feelings of light-headedness, giddiness and general imbalance, that we often call Dizziness. One form of dizziness is Vertigo. This is a very specific complaint of either the environment moving in relation to the patient or the patient moving in relation to the environment. It is usually a spinning or rotatory sensation. Vertigo is specifically linked to problems with the inner ear. Normal Balance Balance and the ability to remain upright is dependent upon three systems:

All three of these systems give information to the brain about the position of the body in space. Generally people can keep their balance if two of the three systems are working, but they cannot cope with only one system working. This is why most people tend to become more unsteady as they get older, because they may have arthritis in their legs and their neck or poor eyesight.

The balance organ (or labyrinth) is made up of three semicircular canals and the vestibule, which are all filled with liquid. The semicircular canals sense rotational movement and the vestibule senses acceleration and deceleration. This is the way that our head senses motion and helps keep us in perfect balance.

Cooksey-Cawthorne Exercises for Rehabilitation of Balance Problems The following exercises were developed to encourage and hasten recovery of balance that had been upset by a disorder in the inner ear. Any sudden problem of the inner ear, whether due to injury or other causes, is followed by giddiness, which in the first few days may be very intense. Fortunately this giddiness gets better as the body adapts, but usually there remains a degree of dizziness that is particularly caused by sudden turning or bending movements of the head. The following exercises are designed to bring about a variety of head movements and encourage your body to get over the effects of any dizziness Diligence and perseverance are required but the earlier and more regularly the exercise regimen is carried out, the faster and more complete will be the return to normal activity. Ideally these activities should be done with a supervised group. Individual patients should be accompanied by a relative or a friend, to prevent falling.

AIMS OF EXERCISE: 1. To loosen up the muscles of the neck and shoulders, to overcome the protective muscular spasm and tendency to move in one piece. 2. To train movement of the eyes, independent of the head. 3. To practice balancing in everyday situations with special attention to developing the use of the eyes and the muscle senses. 4. To practice head movements that cause dizziness, and thus gradually overcome the disability. 5. To become accustomed to moving about naturally in daylight and in the dark. 6. To encourage the restoration of self-confidence and easy spontaneous movement. NOTE: EXERCISE OFTEN MAKE DIZZINESS WORSE IN THE BEGINNING BEFORE THE DIZZINESS GETS BETTER. All exercises are started in exaggerated slow time and gradually progress to more rapid time. The rate of progression from sitting to standing exercises depends upon the dizziness in each individual case. Perform these exercises at least twice daily. A) SITTING POSITION with arm rests: 1. Eye exercises at first slow, then quick 20 times (a) Up and down (b) Side to side (c) Repeat a) and b) focusing on finger at arms length. 2. Head exercises at first slow then quick, 20times (See a and b above) 3. Shrug shoulders and rotate 20 times. 4. Bend forward and pick up objects from the ground, 20 times. 5. Rotate head and shoulders slowly, then fast, 20 times. 6. Rotate head, shoulders and trunk with eyes open, then closed, 20 times. B) STANDING: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Repeat number 1. Repeat number 2. Repeat number 3. Change from a sitting to standing position, with eyes open, then shut, 10 times. Throw ball from hand to hand (above eye level), 10 times. Throw ball from hand to hand (under knees), 10 times. Change from sitting to standing and turn around in between, 10 times. Repeat number 6.

C) WALKING: 15. Walk across room with eyes open, then closed, 10 times. 16. Walk up and down slope with eyes open, then closed, 10 times. 17. Do any games involving stooping, or stretching and aiming, such as bowling, shuffleboard, etc. 18. Stand on one foot with eyes open, then closed. 19. Walk with one foot in front of the other with eyes open, then closed.