CAWTHORNE EXERCISES

Many balance disorders have a psychological component, similar to how you might have felt the first time you tried walking on a balance beam. Improving confidence in your balance, strength and coordination can often lead to significant improvement in your dizziness symptoms as well. Please click below for more information

INSTRUCTIONS

Dr. Tint recommends starting with levels Exercises #1-3. As you progress, you can begin to incorporate exercises #4 and 5 with somebody at home to assist you. Please perform each exercise 10-15 times and repeat each set of exercises 3 times per day. Please see the video at the bottom of the page as a demonstration on how to perform the exercises.

Exercise 1

While sitting on the side of the bed and holding your head still:

Look up as far as you can.
Look down as far as you can.
Look from side to side as far as you can.
Stretch your arm straight out in front of you. Focus on your index finger. Continue to focus on your finger while you bring it to your nose.

Exercise 2

While sitting on the side of the bed and keeping your eyes focused on one point:

Bring your head as far back as you can.
Bring your head forward to touch your chin to your chest.
Turn your head from side to side.
Do these exercises first with your eyes open. Then try with your eyes closed.

Exercise 3

While sitting on the side of the bed:

Shrug your shoulders straight upward, then relax them.
Bend over and try to touch the ground with your fingers. Then go back to a sitting position.
Toss a small ball from one hand to the other. Throw the ball higher than your eyes so you have to look up.

Exercise 4 (WITH ASSISTANCE)

While standing (with someone close by if you feel uncomfortable):

Repeat Exercise 1.
Repeat Exercise 2.
Pass a ball between your legs and above your head.
Sit down and then stand up. Repeat. Turn around in a circle a different way each time you stand.
With someone close by to help you, try the above exercises with your eyes closed.

Exercise 5 (WITH ASSISTANCE)

In a room that is cleared of obstacles:

Walk to a corner of the room, turn to your right, and walk back to the starting point. Now, repeat and turn left.
Walk up and down a slope. Now try stairs.
While holding on to someone's arm, try these exercises with your eyes closed.