Vestibular rehabilitation exercises

The vestibular organ is composed of three parts, which are two sacs and three tubes. The two sacs are the saccule and the utricle, and the three tubes are the three semicircular canals. The vestibular organ is the organ we use for feeling. It can sense whether we are moving and our position very well. If you have vestibular problems, you can recover through vestibular rehabilitation exercises. What does vestibular rehabilitation include?

The vestibular organ refers to the three semicircular canals, the utricle and the saccule in the inner ear labyrinth in addition to the cochlea. These three are collectively called the vestibular organ, which is the human body's receptors for its own movement state and the position of the head in space. When the body rotates or performs linear variable speed motion, the change in speed (including positive and negative acceleration) stimulates the receptor cells in the three semicircles or utricles.

When the position of the head and the direction of the earth's gravity change relative to each other, the sensory cells in the saccule are stimulated. The nerve impulses caused by these stimuli are transmitted to the central nervous system along the vestibular branch of the eighth cranial nerve, causing corresponding sensations and other effects.

Only vertebrates have true vestibular organs. However, specialized balance organs originated from the invertebrates, the coelenterates; for example, many balance organs on the edge of the jellyfish umbrella have similar functions to the vestibular organs, and their structure is basically similar to that of the vestibular organs: surrounded by some ciliated sensory cells.

With a central otolith. In a resting state, due to the effect of gravity, or when the body moves, the relative movement of the otoliths and ciliary cells can stimulate the ciliary sensory cells and excite the nerve network in the body, thereby causing the jellyfish to make movements to adjust its body position and maintain balance, directly helping the animal to drift in the water. This type of balance organ appears in different forms in other higher invertebrates, such as annelids, arthropods and mollusks, especially in decapod squids, where the gravity-sensing organ is relatively complex and similar to that of vertebrates.

The structure and function of the vestibular organs of vertebrates are more complex. They are generally related to the auditory organs. Hearing generally develops later than balance. In lower vertebrates, some organs of balance also have the function of hearing. In higher vertebrates, the organs of balance are further specialized, such as the lateral line organ in fish and special structures such as the auditory crypt in other animals.

1Who needs vestibular rehabilitation training?

Vestibular rehabilitation training is mainly aimed at patients with unilateral or bilateral vestibular dysfunction, which is often caused by diseases such as Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis, and sudden deafness. Whether the vestibular function is normal can be examined and evaluated through the SRM-IV vertigo diagnosis and treatment system of our vertigo clinic.

2What does vestibular rehabilitation training treat?

Human ears are not only responsible for hearing, but also for the body's balance. Under normal circumstances, the binaural balance system works together to maintain the body's balance. If the balance system on either side is damaged, the original balance will be disrupted, causing imbalance and dizziness. Figuratively speaking, the situation will be “I don’t feel dizzy when I don’t move, but I feel dizzy when I move”, or “I don’t feel dizzy when I sit or lie down, but I feel dizzy when I walk”. This situation can be improved with medication, but the effect is minimal. According to research by experts at home and abroad, impaired vestibular function can be improved through specialized vestibular rehabilitation training, and the results are good.

3What is the purpose of vestibular rehabilitation training?

The purpose of training is to establish a tolerance system in the brain and form a new balance. Moreover, the earlier and more standardized the vestibular rehabilitation training is performed, the faster and better the recovery will be.