Regaining Balance: How VOR Exercises Help Reduce Dizziness

Feeling dizzy, unsteady, or off-balance can make even simple daily activities feel overwhelming. If head movements trigger dizziness or blurred vision, Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) exercises may be an important part of your recovery. These exercises help retrain the brain to coordinate eye and head movements, key components of balance and stability.

Understanding the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex

The vestibulo-ocular reflex is the system that allows your eyes to stay focused on an object while your head is moving. It relies on communication between your inner ear and your eyes. When this connection isn’t working properly, symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or visual instability can occur.

VOR exercises are designed to strengthen and restore this connection, helping the brain adapt and respond more efficiently to movement.

Why VOR Exercises Are Important

• Decreased dizziness: Gradual exposure to controlled movements helps the brain adjust and reduces sensitivity to motion.
• Improved visual clarity: Training the eyes to remain focused during head movement helps minimize blurred or shaky vision.
• Better balance and coordination: As the vestibular system improves, everyday movements feel more stable and controlled.
• Increased confidence: Improved balance can make walking, driving, and turning your head feel safer and easier.
• Safe, progressive recovery: Exercises are introduced in manageable steps, allowing steady improvement over time.
  

Simple VOR Exercises to Practice

These exercises are often prescribed by physical therapists and may be adjusted based on your symptoms and tolerance.

Side-to-Side Head Movement
Focus on a stationary object at eye level. Slowly move your head left and right while keeping your eyes locked on the target. Continue for 1–2 minutes, resting as needed.

Up-and-Down Head Movement
Maintain focus on the same target while gently moving your head up and down. Perform for 1–2 minutes.

Walking with Head Movement
Walk at a comfortable pace in a straight line while turning your head side to side or up and down, keeping your eyes focused ahead.

Always stop if symptoms significantly worsen and follow guidance from your physical therapist.

Consistency Makes the Difference

Like any form of rehabilitation, progress comes with regular practice. Performing VOR exercises consistently—at a level appropriate for your condition—helps your brain adapt and improves balance over time.

A Step Toward Steadier Movement

Recovery from dizziness and balance issues doesn’t happen overnight, but VOR exercises provide an effective, evidence-based approach to improving stability and confidence. With the right guidance and a steady routine, many people experience meaningful improvements in how they move and feel each day.

If dizziness is affecting your quality of life, a physical therapist can help determine whether VOR exercises are right for you and create a personalized plan for recovery.

Call to schedule your initial evaluation today! 

Our expert team of therapists at Reddy Care Physical, Occupational & Aquatic Therapy, with clinics across Long Island, Queens, and Manhattan are ready to help.

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Sources: Resource 1 Resource 2 

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.