Trauma, Whiplash, Vertigo And Balance Exercises

Balance Exercises Help After A Concussion

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

Balance exercises  have been found to be helpful for those who suffer with vertigo, especially after a trauma. Please see    http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now  1.7 million Americans suffer concussions or mild TBI (mTBI) each year according to the Centers for Disease Control (2012). Almost one-half million ER visits as a result of head trauma each year are by children 14 years of age or younger. Older adolescents age 15-19 years and those aged 65 years and older are the most likely to suffer from a concussion. The recently released American Academy of Neurology Updated Sports Concussion Guideline (March 13,2013) estimates that more than one million athletes experience a concussion each year.

Complicating the typical concussion symptoms, a common complaint is true vertigo with head or body positioning. Head trauma is recognized as a leading non-otologic cause of Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo (BPPV) in both children and adults. Although BPPV is common to otologic and unrelated medical co-morbidities (Roberts and Gans et al, 2005 visit dizzy.com Research for reprint) it is often seen post head impact. Hoffer et al (2004) reported 28% of military personnel with post-traumatic vertigo were diagnosed with BPPV.  Dispenza et al, (2010) have reported the presence of BPPV even in non-head impact conditions consistent with whiplash injury.

Our clinical experience at AIB treating over 10,000 BPPV patients since 1994, has shown the following for BPPV post head trauma:

1. Youngest post head trauma BPPV patient, 8 years old  ranging to the oldest at 106 years old. Secondary to sports concussions, job related head impact, motor vehicle accidents, and falls.

2. BPPV secondary to head trauma has a higher incidence of bilateral involvement.

3. Treatment may be somewhat more resistant requiring more than the statistical 1.25 treatments reported (Roberts and Gans, 2006).

Case Study:

• Eight year-old male. Fell off a skateboard, was taken to ER with a diagnosis of a concussion.

• Within several days of the fall he began with an acute and severe onset of vertigo which occurred only “at night”.

• Multiple returns to ER with subsequent CT, MRI, and EEG for possible seizure disorder.

• Child referred to AIB for consultation due to the “dizziness” complaint.

• Modified Hallpike testing revealed bilateral PC-BPPV, with no other vestibular involvement.

• Child was treated with GRM treatments for both ears within the same visit. He was deemed to be clear and was then medically released by pediatrician and pediatric neurology for soccer camp the next week.

Balance Exercises

Balance exercises can be effective for individuals after they have experienced a trauma and as a subsequent effect of vertigo. The most important equilibrium routine to start with is to stand with the feet shoulder width a part and center ones body weight in the middle of the arches. In this position, you can concentrate on controlling your weight shifting with all body movements. You can learn these stability techniques and balance exercises by following along with the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To learn the best balance exercises, get the Exercise For Balance DVD. The Exercise For Balance DVD is the perfect Balance DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The Exercise For Balance DVD is loaded with the best balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, steadiness 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

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/