Balance therapy exercises, such as Cawthorne-Cooksey maneuvers and individualized therapy, use tilting and rocking to simulate dizziness and falling, requiring counter movements to regain balance. Alternative therapies, such as yoga and tai-chi, also promote balance and minimize fall injuries.
Balance therapy exercises, also known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy, include classic Cawthorne-Cooksey sitting and standing exercises, alternative martial arts-based exercises, and individualized therapy, occasionally relying on sports equipment and exercise computers. of virtual reality. All three categories of balance therapy exercises use tilting and rocking to simulate conditions of dizziness and falling. At the same time, they require counter movements so that people with neuromuscular impairments can regain balance and relearn stability.
The Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises were the original way that doctors managed balance problems for those suffering from vertigo or other loss of balance due to injury, disease, or aging. These classic maneuvers are frequently divided into four categories: eye movements, sitting, standing, and movement exercises. They are often done using standard household equipment such as a chair, bed, and a level floor in a room without sharp edges or other hazards.
A Cawthorne-Cooksey eye exercise involves sitting on the edge of a bed while slowly moving your eyes up and down and then from side to side for 10 to 30 repetitions. The most difficult Cawthorne-Cooksey balance therapy exercises are the movement exercises. They involve walking in circles or going up and down stairs with your eyes alternately open and closed.
In the mid-1990s, audiologists and physical therapists began to develop more individualized therapy instead of using Cawthorne-Cooksey movements for all those diagnosed with balance impairments. These customized balance therapy exercises still included typical techniques like gaze stabilization, but they took advantage of the use of props. For example, in an observation exercise, patients may turn their heads while trying to keep their eyes fixed on the objects in front of them.
Individualized visual dependence exercises include moving in a familiar environment with veiled eyes. Personalized vestibular therapy also involves the use of tilt boards and outdoor sandy areas to assess excessive reliance on the ankles for balance, a condition formally known as somatosensory dependency. Otolithic recalibration, using trampolines and Swiss balls, is an additional part of individualized balance therapy exercises and is used to improve eye-ear coordination. The ears are an important part of balance training, because balance is controlled by the vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and is related to the way fluid moves inside the ear.
Many patients choose alternative types of balance therapy exercises that involve the use of oriental fitness movements known to promote balance. Many patients use yoga and tai-chi to strengthen coordination and stability of movement. Pilates is another alternative therapy used to restore proper posture and alignment of the body necessary to maintain balance when moving and standing. These alternate shapes offer the added benefit of increasing strength and flexibility to minimize injuries from falls. Gyrokinesis is an ultimate alternative therapy that involves fluid movement exercises to combat balance disorders.
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