How to Support Chronic Pain Rehab Through Vestibular Training

Pain is the product of interactions between sensory signalling, emotional input, cognitive appraisal, and body representation. Chronic pain is a dysfunction in these neural pathways. What if these pathways could be repaired by a system that uses these routes too?

The vestibular system also processes sensory input, cognitive appraisal and body representation. It assembles this information to balance and orient us.     

This image shows the parts of the brain that map for vestibular integration

are the same or very close to, the areas that map for chronic pain.

It has also been observed that people living with chronic pain have reduced proprioceptive acuity and diminished bodily awareness (Tong et al., 2017) 

Scientists have used many methods of vestibular stimulation to reduce pain perception. A cheaper, easier and more convenient alternative is called vestibular training.  

The easiest way to start is to keep looking at a fixed point while walking forwards and backwards while shaking your head.

Then walk while nodding

Walk while dropping ear to shoulder.

While circling the head and while moving the head in a figure of eight - side to side and up and down. 

These photos were taken in my tiny garden with the sun shining straight into my eyes - you get the point though. There are many more movements that you can do but this is a good first step. Here’s a picture of some seated options from human locomotion that you can try too.

Good luck 

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