Andre Rieu Vertigo

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Story Details

Bill Henshall wrote to Andre Rieu after hearing that the violin virtuoso had a crippling case of vertigo – in his letter he explained how he too had suffered the condition and how he managed to over come it. Andre not only received the letter, he now credits the Perth man with helping him get back on stage.

VERTIGO / DIS-EQUILIBRIUM EXERCISES

Step one back to normality!

The first four sets to be completed sitting down, standing up only when confidence returns. Exercises to be done three times a day for as long as it takes to regain static equilibrium.

LATERAL MOVEMENT

No:1 Eye movement only. (3 sets of 10 inreasing to 20)

Keep your head level and look straight ahead. Move your eyes to the left, focus on an object. Then rotate your eyes immediately in the opposite direction focusing on the other object. Initially sit 1 metre away from the objects gradually increasing the distance from them. (It is quite possible you will experience DRAG. This will decrease in time)

No:2 Head movement, keeping eyes still. (3 sets of 10 increasing to 20)

Keep your head level and look straight ahead. Rotate your head left then right, your eyes always pointing in the same direction as your nose. Again, focus on each object at the end of each movement before turning your head in the opposite direction. Initially sit 1 metre away from the objects gradually increasing the distance from them. (It is quite possible you will experience DRAG. This will decrease with time)

VERTICAL MOVEMENT

No:3 Bobbing eyes. (3 sets of 10 increasing to 20)

Bob your eyes up and down, as if you were eyeing someone off. Once again focus on each of the objects at either end of the movement before continuing. Initially sit 1 metre away from the objects gradually increasing the distance from them.
(Again, you may experience DRAG. This will decrease in time)

No: 4 Bobbing head. (3 sets of 10 increasing to 20)

Bob your head up and down , this time as if you were agreeing with someone. As in exercise 2, your eyes must always be pointing in the same direction as your nose. Focus on the objects at either end of the movement before continuing. Initially sit 1 metre away from the objects gradually increasing the distance from them. (Again you may experience DRAG. This will decrease in time).

FIRST MOBILE MOVEMENT.
Attempt only after steps 1 to 4 have increased stability to a noticeable degree.

No:5 Figure of eight. (3 sets of 10 increasing to 20)

Walk in tight turns forming a figure of eight.

NOTE: Make the initial objects a cross and a circle, drawn on A4 paper. Place on a wall or fridge or some other area with a blank background. Change the nature of the objects as vision starts to improve. E.g.; door knob, vase, picture etc.
The purpose behind the 1 metre distance and placing the first two objects on clear surfaces is to minimise peripheral interference. As vision and confidence starts to return then change objects and distances that will add extra visual interference to the exercise.

The less nauseous you feel, the closer you are to regaining your equilibrium.

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