Can Motion Sickness Be Treated?: How Physical Therapy Is The Missing Link

Motion sickness is a common yet often misunderstood condition that affects millions of people worldwide.

Whether you're traveling by car, boat, plane, or even experiencing virtual reality, the symptoms of motion sickness can be debilitating.

While many people are aware of motion sickness, few realize that it can be effectively treated.

At Rebalance Physical Therapy, we specialize in vestibular physical therapy, which targets the underlying causes of motion sickness and offers a pathway to lasting relief. In this blog, we’ll explore what motion sickness is, why it happens, and how re-training the vestibular system is the missing link in treating it.

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when there is a disconnect between what your eyes see, what your inner ear senses, and how your brain processes these signals. This mismatch of sensory information confuses the brain, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and fatigue. For example, when you're reading in a car, your eyes are focused on a stationary object, but your inner ear detects movement, creating a conflict that results in motion sickness. Similarly, on a boat, the constant rocking motion can cause your inner ear to send mixed signals to your brain, triggering the unpleasant symptoms.

The Overlooked Reality: Motion Sickness Can Be Treated

Despite how common motion sickness is, many people are unaware that it can be effectively treated. Most individuals simply avoid situations that trigger their symptoms or rely on over-the-counter medications that only mask the symptoms temporarily. However, these solutions don’t address the root cause. The truth is that motion sickness is linked to dysfunction within the vestibular system—the sensory system responsible for balance and spatial orientation. By targeting the vestibular system through specialized physical therapy, Rebalance Physical Therapy can help retrain the brain to process sensory information more accurately, reducing or even eliminating motion sickness symptoms!

How Rebalance Physical Therapy Can Help: The Missing Link in Treatment

At Rebalance Physical Therapy, we understand that the vestibular system is the key to treating motion sickness effectively. Our vestibular physical therapy programs are designed to address the root cause of motion sickness by improving the coordination between your visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems. Here’s how we do it:

1. Gaze Stabilization Exercises:

We use gaze stabilization exercises to enhance the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which helps your brain better coordinate eye movements with head movements. This reduces the sensory mismatch that causes motion sickness and improves your overall balance.

2. Habituation Techniques:

Our therapy includes habituation exercises that gradually expose you to motion stimuli in a controlled environment. This helps desensitize your vestibular system to the motions that typically trigger your symptoms, allowing you to build tolerance over time.

3. Balance and Coordination Training:

Improving your balance and coordination is essential for reducing motion sickness. Our therapy focuses on enhancing your body’s ability to maintain stability during movement, which can prevent the onset of symptoms during activities like driving, boating, or flying.

4. Customized Treatment Plans:

We understand that motion sickness affects everyone differently, so we create personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Whether you experience symptoms during travel or in everyday situations, our customized approach ensures that you receive the most effective care.

5. Incorporating RightEye Technology:

At Rebalance Physical Therapy, we utilize RightEye software technology to precisely measure and analyze eye movements. This advanced tool allows us to detect subtle abnormalities in your visual tracking that may contribute to motion sickness. By providing detailed, quantitative data, RightEye helps us tailor our vestibular rehabilitation programs even more effectively, ensuring that your treatment is as targeted and efficient as possible.

6. Education and Support:

At Rebalance Physical Therapy, we believe that education is a crucial part of treatment. We provide you with the knowledge and tools to manage your symptoms effectively and empower you to take control of your health.

Conclusion

Motion sickness doesn’t have to control your life. By addressing the underlying dysfunction within the vestibular system, Rebalance Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive approach to treating motion sickness that goes beyond temporary relief. If you’re tired of avoiding activities due to motion sickness, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how our vestibular physical therapy programs can help you find lasting relief. Understanding the vestibular system as the missing link is the first step towards a symptom-free life. Let Rebalance Physical Therapy guide you on the path to recovery!