Motion Sickness and Fear Reactivity

[Glenn Sunshine]

I have a long history of motion sickness dating to childhood. To this day, I end up feeling dizzy and nauseated if I go on amusement park rides that involve spinning. When I started in martial arts in my 30s, I was involved in a school that did lots of rolls. I ended up feeling light headed and headachy often for hours afterward. At that point in my career, I thought that was the price I'd need to pay, and I didn't think much of it. Now, at closer to age 50 than 40, I'm not as willing to feel lousy all the time.

That brings me to warrior wellness. After not doing the routines for way too long, I began up again. I found I still had most of my ROM and coordination, so I moved into more sophisticated routines. When doing advanced hourglasses and low back circles, figure 8s and cloverleaves, I began getting the same kind of feeling I got from rolls. I had a sinus infection at the time, so that may have had something to do with it, but it still happens fairly regularly to the point where I've started to dread doing those exercises. I need them for my low back's sake, but I really don't like how I often feel. I'm beginning to develop a certain degree of mental density, locking in an expectation of feeling bad from doing them, which is generating at least avoidance behavior and I suspect a bit of fear reactivity. Does anyone have a suggestion for avoiding the "motion sickness" or dealing with the density/fear reactivity I've been accumulating?

Yours,
Glenn

[Connie Brown]

I too get motion sickness easily especially with the spinal circles and I use three things to lessen it. All of them have to do with reducing the "rate of change of direction."

- Slow down the acceleration going off vertical.

- slow down the tempo going around.

- reduce the amount I'm "off vertical". Keeping head up for the spine circles. Yes this reduces the ROM but I'll take full circles with less ROM over having to stop from nausea, any day. This one is changing over time.

- hydration and energy level makes a difference. It's worse if I haven't had good sleep or enough water.

And I'm collecting anecdotal data. Are you a musician?

[Glenn Sunshine]

I've tried slowing down, and it does lessen the effects. I'll bring in your other suggestions as well.

And yes, I am a musician--not an especially good one, mind you, but I did a lot with it in high school and college.

Thanks,
Glenn

[Connie Brown]

Wow. Every single person so far, who has complained about motion sickness with WW, has been a musician (no matter how amateur).

[JasonE]

For sake of objective data collection:

I've been involved with music for most of my life. Singing, dancing, playing instruments... a variety of performances and years of instruction. Nausea has never been a significant issue for me, except on a few particularly violent carnival rides. It would be interesting to know how many other Tribe members are musical and do not suffer these symptoms.

The musical connection you have noted may be indicative of something else, perhaps a variation in cochleal formation more common among those with heightened sensitivity to pitch?

Aside from that, is there perhaps a proprioceptive trigger related to spinal orientation/articulation that can induce the nausea?

How might these movements affect blood pressure or the distribution of cerebral fluid, both of which may also induce nausea?

You have the makings of a major medical research project in your lap. :wink: I am curious to see where your informal studies go with this.

[Connie Brown]

I've been involved with music for most of my life. Singing, dancing, playing instruments... a variety of performances and years of instruction. Nausea has never been a significant issue for me, except on a few particularly violent carnival rides. It would be interesting to know how many other Tribe members are musical and do not suffer these symptoms.

any motion sickness ever, apart from wild rides?

Re the blood pressure: the feeling I get from the spinal circles nausea has a different quality than from blood pressure or head fluid fluctuations.

I will gladly accept grant money and tuition for a study.

My degrees once came in second place in an informal survey at work for "oldest with no significant continuing credits, and least useful degree." I was beat out by a guy who had only a single Bachelor of Fine Arts that was a couple of years older.

[kcsportsdoc]

Musically inclined? Yes. Difficulty with rides that spin? Yes. Difficulty with Cervical Circles, Infinities and Clovers leading to vertiginous episodes? Yup.

Solution? All the things you mentioned, Connie. Plus, I "spot" a focal point and check my breathing. That generally takes care of the problem for me.

[Jarlo Ilano]

This has always been a problem for me as well. Thanks for the additional tips.

Slowing down and breathing out was helpful is well.

I'm not a musician but I always thought it may be related to my hearing loss...

Dizziness and nausea are my main limitations during bodyflow. The first night of Softwork, I was not a happy camper....

[lafnjack]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone tried those little wrist-bands with the plastic ball on it, that's supposed to hit a pressure point to reduce motion sickness?

I get sea sick, and tried those on. Whether it really hits the appropriate point, or if its just in my head, its been rather successful on the cruises I've been on. They're like 5-10 bucks I think. I'm just curious if it would work for something like this?

John Simons

[Glenn Sunshine]

It's really nice to know I'm not the only one who has this kind of problem. I have found that relaxation and breathing really help, as does going slow (although not as much as when I can relax and exhale thoroughly into what I'm doing). It may be that when I'm fully relaxed and into the "mastery" level, the problem will solve itself--hence the original question re. fear reactivity. I'll certainly be working in the meantime on incorporating as many of these suggestions as I can.

Yours,
Glenn

[Randell Waddell]

Morning Glenn,

A lot of the work I do with kids and adults involves rolls, ground engagements, dis-engagements, Bodyflow, inverted work like Headstands and handstands etc, specifically to help the Vestibular Sytem (which put simply integrates the stimulii from eyes, semi-circular canals, and the proprioceptors from throughout the body).

Perhaps if you can find some time, please consider going back through some of the following to get some more idea where we explore:

* many of the items that come up when you do a search for "brainworx", (one of the programs that I run here at school).

* some of the following may be helpful also

http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6336

http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6436

http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4190

http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4191

http://circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3941


Cheers
Randell. :D

[JasonE]

any motion sickness ever, apart from wild rides?

Nope. I've always loved tumbling and rolling around. I am not prone to nausea.

Well, I did get nauseous from smoking a huge cigar years ago, but that was something different. :lol: