Supporting balance issues after a head injury involves a combination of specialized therapies, exercises, and lifestyle adjustments aimed at helping the brain and body relearn how to maintain stability and spatial orientation. Balance problems after a head injury often stem from damage to the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that control balance and eye movements.
One of the most effective approaches is **vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)**. This therapy uses personalized exercises to retrain the brain to interpret signals from the inner ear, eyes, and muscles correctly. Exercises may include gaze stabilization (training the eyes to focus while the head moves), visual tracking, and graded exposure to movements that provoke dizziness, all designed to improve coordination and reduce symptoms like vertigo and unsteadiness. The therapy typically starts with simple balance tasks, such as standing with feet together, and gradually progresses to more challenging activities like single-leg stance or walking on uneven surfaces while turning the head[1][3][4][7].
Physiotherapy also plays a key role. A physiotherapist can assess the specific balance difficulties and recommend exercises tailored to the individual’s needs. These exercises often begin with seated or supported positions and advance to standing and walking tasks, sometimes using equipment or assistance to ensure safety. The goal is to improve balance, coordination, and confidence in movement[2][5].
In some cases, specific maneuvers like canalith repositioning are used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common cause of dizziness after head injury. This involves gentle guided head movements to reposition tiny crystals in the inner ear that cause vertigo[1][7].
Medication may be prescribed in some situations to control severe dizziness or nausea, but it is usually combined with therapy rather than used alone[1].
Lifestyle adjustments can support recovery as well. Staying hydrated, maintaining regular physical activity, improving lighting in living spaces, and avoiding sudden head movements can help reduce symptoms and prevent falls[1].
Neck and postural exercises are often included, especially if the head injury involved whiplash or neck strain. These exercises help reduce neck pain and improve head mobility, which can contribute to better balance[3].
Overall, the key to supporting balance issues after a head injury is a comprehensive, individualized approach that combines vestibular rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes to help the brain adapt and restore stability.
Sources
https://capitalhearingbalance.com/how-audiologists-diagnose-and-treat-balance-disorders/
https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/effects/physical/balance-problems-after-stroke/help
https://www.cawleypt.net/resources/comprehensive-guide-to-concussion-rehabilitation-exercises/
https://stabilitylab.com/blogs/understanding-balance-and-vestibular-rehabilitation/
https://www.spoonerpt.com/specialties/vestibular-rehabilitation/
https://www.congruencept.com/vestibular-therapy-sunnyvale
https://www.vestibularhealth.ca/blog/vestibular-rehab-for-concussion
