The Otolith Organs: Why You Feel Pulled, Tilted, Rocking, or Swaying

<p>In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, vestibular physical therapists Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS and Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT are joined by Dr. Katherine Deines, PT, NCS and Dr. Jaimy Wahab, PT, NCS, also known as the Neuro Dizzy Duo, for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked parts of the vestibular system: the otolith organs.</p><p>While many people associate vertigo and dizziness with the semicircular canals and spinning sensations, this episode explores how the utricle and saccule help us sense gravity, acceleration, head position, vertical orientation, and linear movement. The conversation highlights why otolith dysfunction may contribute to symptoms such as rocking, swaying, bobbing, feeling pulled or pushed, floating, walking on marshmallows, disorientation, and feeling “off.”</p><p>The guests also explain how otolith dysfunction may show up in conditions such as BPPV, vestibular migraine, PPPD/3PD, Mal de Débarquement Syndrome, concussion, dysautonomia, POTS, Parkinson’s disease, and other complex vestibular presentations.</p><p>This episode is especially helpful for vestibular clinicians, physical therapists, audiologists, patients with chronic dizziness, and anyone trying to better understand why dizziness is not always “spinning.”</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Resources:</strong></p><p>Where to find The Dizzy Duo on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/neuro_dizzy_duo/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@neuro_dizzy_duo</a></p><p>Email address:  <a href="info@neurodizzyduo.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">info@neurodizzyduo.com</a></p><p>Courses, publications, or resources:</p><p><a href="https://www.reactiveeducation.com/ps2" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Their Positive Spin on Dizziness</a> advanced vestibular courses cover many lesser discussed topics:otolith dysfunction, the difference between vestibular dysfunction and hypersensitivity, visual motion hypersensitivity, Vestibular Migraine, Mal de Debarquement Syndrome, Meniere’s disease</p><p>Recommended products or links: <a href="https://www.reactiveeducation.com/store" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.reactiveeducation.com/store</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Hosted by:</strong></p><p>🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS</p><p>🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT</p><p><br></p><p><strong>For episode recommendations or requests, email us at:</strong> <a href="info@balancingactrehab.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@balancingactrehab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>Partnered with:</strong></p><p><strong>→</strong> Our online program and community, <strong>The Dizzy Reset™</strong><em>, </em><a href="https://tdr.balancingactrehab.com/invitation?code=2AAFEJ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠use code TALKDIZZYTOME for 40% off your first payment<em>⁠⁠⁠⁠</em>⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong><a href="https://avulux.com/DIZZYRESET" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Avulux glasses, use code DIZZYRESET for $25 off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://justingredients.com/TALKDIZZYTOME" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Just Ingredients, use code TALKDIZZYTOME for 5% off⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>Connect with Us:</strong></p><p><strong>→</strong> <a href="https://calendly.com/balancingactrehab/10min" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Book a free call with us</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong><a href="https://www.balancingactrehab.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Get free resources straight to your inbox</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.balancingactrehab.com/group" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Join our online program and community, The Dizzy Reset™</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong><a href="https://www.y