Nystagmus And Balance Exercises

Balance Exercises Are Essential For Those With Nystagmus

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

    For people who struggle with nystagmus, performing balance exercises  every day is highly recommended. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Nystagmus is an involuntary, rapid and repetitive movement of the eyes. Usually the movement is side-to-side (horizontal nystagmus), but it can also be up and down (vertical nystagmus) or circular (rotary nystagmus). The movement can vary between slow and fast, and it usually involves both eyes. There are two types of nystagmus: congenital and acquired. Congenital nystagmus develops in infancy, usually between six weeks and three months of age. Sensory nystagmus also occurs early in life and is related to poor vision caused by a variety of eye conditions, including cataract (cloudiness of the eye's lens), strabismus (eye misalignment) and optic nerve hypoplasia. As they get older, children with nystagmus don't see the world as shaky, but they will probably develop less clear vision. Acquired nystagmus occurs later in life and has a variety of causes, including an association with serious medical conditions or trauma like a blow to the head from a fall or a motor vehicle accident. Unlike children with nystagmus, adults who acquire nystagmus may see images as shaky. Additionally, individuals may have nystagmus as a result of conditions involving vertigo, specifically called Benign Proxsymal Positional Vertigo. For people with nystagmus, symptoms of being off balanced often occur, especially for older adults. Consequently, it is critical for people with nystagmus to perform balance exercises on a consistent basis to minimize their imbalance and risk for a fall.

Everything can seem shaky with nystagmus...

Balance Exercises For Those With Visual Deficits

   If you experience nystagmus for any reason, it is suggested that you immediately begin a program of balance exercises. since nystagmus can cause a person's vision to be shaky and since vision is the primary sensory input for stability, people with visual problems like nystagmus should consistently follow a program of equilibrium exercises. The first step is to learn to compensate for the visual difficulties by concentrating on the sense of touch between your feet and the floor. By using sensory input from the feet, you will be able to maximize your balance skills and limit the potential of a fall. Once you learn to focus on the sensory input from the feet, you can initiate a steadiness exercises program like standing in a tandem stance position. In this position, you stand with one foot directly in front of the other foot (Stand near a counter or table for safety). You can learn these stability techniques and balance exercises in the Exercise For Balance DVD, which was developed by a knowledgeable Physical Therapist.

 

Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    For those with nystagmus or other vision problems, please begin the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The comprehensive Exercise For Balance DVD is an excellent DVD resource to use at home or in a group setting. The Exercise For Balance DVD is filled with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance general fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, grocery shopping, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like playing golf,  dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve steadiness, stability techniques and balance routines from a balance trainer --licensed Physical Therapist-- who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

   Anyone with nystagmus should start balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/