Vestibular System – what it is and what it does:
Often mispronounced and even more often overlooked, the vestibular system’s main anatomy is very tiny and located deep in the inner ear. It is not something that the doctor or therapist can see if they were to shine a light inside your ear and look because it is so far back inside the skull.
The vestibular system consists of three very small canals and two other microscopic organs that detect the direction and speed with which we are moving and send this information to the brain. Because we have a right and a left ear, the vestibular system has a right and a left side. Each side is responsible for sending the brain information about how we are moving. The brain will then use this information to determine what eye and body movements are necessary to keep us functioning, as well as possible, in any given environment.
The vestibular system is one of the body’s main methods of maintaining equilibrium. Equilibrium is more commonly known as balance. Balance comprises two main areas: postural and gaze stabilization.
Balance – Postural Stabilization:
The first you are most likely already familiar with, that of being stable and centered, also called postural stabilization. Good postural stabilization allows for us to be balanced and make appropriate balance reactions such as stepping and reaching when we become unsteady; when this is working well we are more likely to regain our balance and less likely to fall.
Balance – Gaze Stabilization:
The second area, known as gaze stabilization, is often the less familiar and less thought of part of balance. Gaze stabilization allows us to see a clear and stable picture of the world around us as we move through it and also as it moves around us. When this system is working well we have clear vision in the presence of motion, which is called dynamic visual acuity. These two main facets of balance are important for daily functioning and safety.
Vestibular System – Real world applications:
When the vestibular system is functioning well it allows us to be stable and see clearly as we move through our day. When we are moving slowly there is less demand on this system, but as we move more quickly it needs to work harder to make sure our body and eyes can keep up. For example, a sudden trip over a stick leads to a quick change in our body’s position (likely from upright to falling forward), if our vestibular system is healthy it will detect this change immediately and the brain will use this information to make our body step forward or reach out to try and stop the fall, this is an example of a balance reaction.
Another example is that of a football player running fast down a field and rapidly changing directions. A healthy vestibular system will allow this player to still see clearly during all this movement to be able to avoid other players and make it into the endzone, this is an example of gaze stabilization. More basic and day to day examples include preparing a meal in the kitchen; as we cook we need to turn and reach and bend, we are able to do these things while keeping our bodies and vision stable largely because of a healthy vestibular system.
We now know that a properly functioning vestibular system is very important and why, but what about when that system becomes unhealthy and works less effectively?
Vestibular System – When something goes wrong:
When either the left or right side sustains damage or irritation it can throw the body into a state of complete disequilibrium or imbalance. Under these circumstances the vestibular system becomes impaired, it cannot send information as quickly to the brain, and thus our body and eyes are slower to react. In those same examples above, the person who tripped may be unable to step to recover and instead falls, possibly sustaining a more serious injury; that same football player is moving quickly, but his gaze/vision is blurry instead of clear and he has a harder time avoiding getting tackled, and finally meal prep in the kitchen may become less stable and more blurred or even dizzy in nature if our vestibular system is not working properly.
Vestibular Dysfunction – What it feels like:
Common complaints from people with vestibular system dysfunction can include reduced stability, increased near falls/falls, dizziness, blurred vision, and sometimes even nausea. These symptoms often come on quite suddenly when the vestibular system is involved and are very scary. Additionally, these symptoms can often be quite debilitating and cause people to miss work/school, going out socially, or even being able to be present for day-to-day activities with their family and friends. For many suffering from these symptoms, they feel hopeless and assume that this is just how things are going to be, their “new normal.” However, this is often not the case! Just like an injury to another part of the body, an injury to the vestibular system when properly evaluated and treated can improve and sometimes even completely resolve these symptoms.
Vestibular Dysfunction – Who can help:
Proper identification of vestibular dysfunction and its subsequent treatment hinges on seeing the appropriate medical provider. One such provider is a vestibular physical therapist. Such a person can be a great resource in helping to reduce the symptoms associated with vestibular dysfunction, however, it is important that they have had this specialized training so that they can best help you.
A vestibular therapist can listen to your symptoms and how they impact you, perform the necessary tests and measures to identify the problem(s), and prescribe a personalized treatment/exercise program to most effectively reduce or even eliminate your symptoms.
Vestibular Symptoms – Who to contact:
If you or someone you know is experiencing vestibular dysfunction symptoms, consider speaking to your doctor or reaching out to iMove PT at info@imovephysicaltherapy.com to see if a vestibular physical therapist is right for you.