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Phase 1: VESTIBULAR / BALANCE / COORDINATION
The following exercises are designed to stimulate regions of the brain that control balance, coordination and motor postural functions. Mainly the Middle Ear and inner and outer Cerebellum will be stimulated. Each exercise needs to be performed 2-3 X/ Day to ensure Neuroplasticity is occurring.
One Leg Balance
Come into tall posture and focus on a non-moving object in your view. Begin to balance on one leg. Then swing the opposite leg up in front with a bent knee. If necessary, use a light touch on the wall to maintain this position. Eventually progressing to not using the wall for support. Hold for 30 seconds or until a loss of balance occurs and repeat 8-10 times. 2-3 X/ Day
Horizontal Stimulation
Place finger in front of eyes approximately 12” away. Keep your eyes fixed on your finger and quickly turn your head to the left or right (only the side of weakness) then turn head back to center quickly. If you are currently suffering a neck complaint please be careful with this exercise. Repeat 15 times simultaneously at 3 different time periods each day.
Posterior Stimulation
Place finger in front of eyes approximately 12” away. Keep your eyes fixed on your finger and quickly turn your head back and to the Left or Right (only the side of weakness) then turn head back to center quickly. If you are currently suffering a neck complaint please be careful with this exercise. Repeat 15 times simultaneously at 3 different time periods each day.
Counting Fingers
Come into a tall posture and begin to touch thumb to fingers on the weaker sensory hand (noted on take home sheet). Follow the pattern of: thumb to index finger, thumb to middle finger, thumb to ring finger, thumb to pinky finger. After 2 cycles of the correct pattern gradually speeding up. Continue to gain speed until 45 seconds is complete or until an error occurs. If error is made begin again slowly. Complete for a total of 45 seconds and repeat 3 times daily.
Figure 8’s
Come into a tall posture and begin to rotate the weak appendage (wrist, shoulder, hip, leg, and/or ankle) in a “figure 8” (draw and imaginary 8 in the air). For lower body utilize a stationary object to perform the movement safely. The key here is that concentrated joint motion stimulates both the Cerebellar and Motor functions of the brain. Complete for a total of 45 seconds and repeat 3 times daily.
Toe and Wrist Tapping
Come into tall posture. Raise your foot of interest (weaker side as noted on take home sheet) up off the floor and drop them down as though tapping along to the beat of a song. For the wrist, start with palm up resting on the opposite hand and flip to palm down. Slowly gain speed and continue to increase speed until 45 seconds is complete or until an error occurs. If error is made begin again slowly. Complete for a total of 45 seconds and repeat 3 times daily.
Shoulder Incomplete Box
Come into a tall posture, bring your arms comfortably to your side. Begin by raising your shoulders to your ears than pull back and drop the shoulders down. Visualize drawing an incomplete box with your shoulders. Complete for a total of 5-10 and repeat 3 times daily.
Hip Mobility
Secure your stance by bracing against a wall or using the back of a chair. Start by raising the weaker hip and begin gentle and slow Forward and Back Swing. Rest for 30 seconds and begin a gentle rotational motion moving the hip 360 degrees for both inward and external rotation. Each exercise should be performed for 20-30 sec, 3 times, 2-3 X/day.