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Balance & Dizziness Canada

Balance & Dizziness Canada

Supporting, inspiring and educating those affected by balance and dizziness disorders

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Balance & Dizziness Canada

Balance & Dizziness Canada

Supporting, inspiring and educating those affected by balance and dizziness disorders

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You are here: Home / Support / FAQ

FAQ

Browse a selection of our most frequently asked questions and answers about balance and dizziness disorders. Submit your own question here.



Balance

b
When carrying a heavy object or carrying a weight in each hand, my balance improves. Why?
This is a very interesting observation. In order to keep balance, our brain collects information from the vestibular system (the inner ear balance sensors), the visual system and the proprioceptive system (the sensation coming from skin, muscles and joints). The brain analyzes these three “buckets” of information to figure out what the body is doing and to send orders back to the body to adjust and keep balance. When you are carrying a heavy object, either in one or both hands, you are enhancing the cues from the proprioceptive system going to the brain. From your report, this seems to help your brain to adjust more easily and for you to feel more balanced. This principle, as a means of strategically calculated and positioned weighted vests, has been used in balance rehabilitation of some central nervous system balance disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease. You may wish to explore this option with your health care professionals team.
Category: Balance
Tag: Proprioceptors
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Vestibular Disorders

b
What do my symptoms of asymmetrical disequilibrium mean?

The balance system is complex and involves the brain analyzing and interpreting information from three major systems: the inner ear sensors for balance (vestibular system), the visual system, and the sensation that goes from the skin, muscles and joints (proprioceptive system).

Any sensation of dizziness and imbalance may result when one or more of these four parts are not functioning well. Therefore, the perceived asymmetries you experience may stem from the vestibular organs, from the proprioceptive system and/or from the brain’s processing of the their information. You did not mention visual issues, but treating these symptoms often involve also addressing the processing of visual information, with and without head movements.

You may wish to pursue assessments to clarify whether you do have asymmetries in your balance system, namely a vestibular assessment (for the inner ear sensors and their connections with eyes and brain) and a physiotherapy assessment, for the proprioceptive and musculo-skeletal systems. Proper treatment/rehabilitation can then be tailored to your needs. 

Categories: Vestibular Disorders, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Vestibular Testing, Vision
Tags: assessment, assymetries, assymetry, Asymmetrical, brain, disequalibrium, Dizziness, imbalance, Inner Ear, Proprioceptive, Proprioceptors, vestibular
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Vestibular Rehabilitation

b
What do my symptoms of asymmetrical disequilibrium mean?

The balance system is complex and involves the brain analyzing and interpreting information from three major systems: the inner ear sensors for balance (vestibular system), the visual system, and the sensation that goes from the skin, muscles and joints (proprioceptive system).

Any sensation of dizziness and imbalance may result when one or more of these four parts are not functioning well. Therefore, the perceived asymmetries you experience may stem from the vestibular organs, from the proprioceptive system and/or from the brain’s processing of the their information. You did not mention visual issues, but treating these symptoms often involve also addressing the processing of visual information, with and without head movements.

You may wish to pursue assessments to clarify whether you do have asymmetries in your balance system, namely a vestibular assessment (for the inner ear sensors and their connections with eyes and brain) and a physiotherapy assessment, for the proprioceptive and musculo-skeletal systems. Proper treatment/rehabilitation can then be tailored to your needs. 

Categories: Vestibular Disorders, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Vestibular Testing, Vision
Tags: assessment, assymetries, assymetry, Asymmetrical, brain, disequalibrium, Dizziness, imbalance, Inner Ear, Proprioceptive, Proprioceptors, vestibular
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Vestibular Testing

b
What do my symptoms of asymmetrical disequilibrium mean?

The balance system is complex and involves the brain analyzing and interpreting information from three major systems: the inner ear sensors for balance (vestibular system), the visual system, and the sensation that goes from the skin, muscles and joints (proprioceptive system).

Any sensation of dizziness and imbalance may result when one or more of these four parts are not functioning well. Therefore, the perceived asymmetries you experience may stem from the vestibular organs, from the proprioceptive system and/or from the brain’s processing of the their information. You did not mention visual issues, but treating these symptoms often involve also addressing the processing of visual information, with and without head movements.

You may wish to pursue assessments to clarify whether you do have asymmetries in your balance system, namely a vestibular assessment (for the inner ear sensors and their connections with eyes and brain) and a physiotherapy assessment, for the proprioceptive and musculo-skeletal systems. Proper treatment/rehabilitation can then be tailored to your needs. 

Categories: Vestibular Disorders, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Vestibular Testing, Vision
Tags: assessment, assymetries, assymetry, Asymmetrical, brain, disequalibrium, Dizziness, imbalance, Inner Ear, Proprioceptive, Proprioceptors, vestibular
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Vision

b
What do my symptoms of asymmetrical disequilibrium mean?

The balance system is complex and involves the brain analyzing and interpreting information from three major systems: the inner ear sensors for balance (vestibular system), the visual system, and the sensation that goes from the skin, muscles and joints (proprioceptive system).

Any sensation of dizziness and imbalance may result when one or more of these four parts are not functioning well. Therefore, the perceived asymmetries you experience may stem from the vestibular organs, from the proprioceptive system and/or from the brain’s processing of the their information. You did not mention visual issues, but treating these symptoms often involve also addressing the processing of visual information, with and without head movements.

You may wish to pursue assessments to clarify whether you do have asymmetries in your balance system, namely a vestibular assessment (for the inner ear sensors and their connections with eyes and brain) and a physiotherapy assessment, for the proprioceptive and musculo-skeletal systems. Proper treatment/rehabilitation can then be tailored to your needs. 

Categories: Vestibular Disorders, Vestibular Rehabilitation, Vestibular Testing, Vision
Tags: assessment, assymetries, assymetry, Asymmetrical, brain, disequalibrium, Dizziness, imbalance, Inner Ear, Proprioceptive, Proprioceptors, vestibular
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