June 09, 2026

143. Strength & Resistance Training for Vestibular Disorders

22 minutes

This is my personal favorite topic, but probably your least favorite: strength training.

Before you run away, hear me out! Because whether you’re bed-bound, housebound, or just convinced your body can’t handle it right now, this episode is for you.

I’m breaking down exactly WHY resistance and strength training isn’t just helpful for vestibular disorders—it’s essential.

You Have to Move Your Body to Manage Your Dizziness

From the dizzy-anxious-dizzy cycle to blood sugar regulation to better sleep to reduced inflammation, strength training touches virtually every struggle vestibular warriors face. I’m not letting anyone off the hook, but I am meeting you exactly where you are.

Starting with 3 minutes? That counts.

Walking to the mailbox and back? That counts too.

Because the goal here is progress, not perfection.

And you know I have the science to back every single word of it!

In this episode, we’ll dig into:

Why strength training is non-negotiable for vestibular disorder management

How exercise helps break the dizzy-anxious-dizzy cycle

“In the moment” vs. “hangover” dizziness and how to adjust your approach

Why EDS, HSD, or MCAS makes building muscle even more critical

The truth about the fear of getting “bulky”

How to start exercising when you’re bedbound or couch-bound

What physical activity guidelines actually say, and where most people fall short

How functional movements like the deadlift directly support vestibular patients

How Vestibular Group Fit makes strength and resistance training accessible

Whether you start with 3 minutes or 30, the most important thing is that you start. Because your vestibular system, your mood, your balance, and your future self are all counting on it.

Links Mentioned:

Vestibular Group Fit (code GROUNDED at checkout for 15% off!): https://thevertigodoctor.com/vestibular-group-fit

Free Resources:

⁠The 4 Steps to Managing Vestibular Migraine: https://thevertigodoctor.myflodesk.com/cb5js0y78n

⁠The PPPD Management Masterclass⁠: https://thevertigodoctor.myflodesk.com/new-pppd

⁠What your Partner Should Know About Living with Dizziness⁠: https://thevertigodoctor.myflodesk.com/partnership

⁠The FREE Mini VGFit Workout⁠: https://thevertigodoctor.myflodesk.com/minifit

⁠The FREE POTS – safe Workouts⁠: https://thevertigodoctor.myflodesk.com/pots

Connect with Dr. Madison (@TheVertigoDoctor): https://instagram.com/thevertigodoctor

Work with Dr. Madison:

For 1:1 Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, email [email protected]

Otherwise, I’ll see ya in Vestibular Group Fit!

Connect with Dr. Jenna (@dizzy.rehab.therapist): https://www.instagram.com/dizzy.rehab.therapist/

Learn about the Oak Method: http://thevertigodoctor.com/why-vestibular-group-fit

Citations:

Adriano Oliveira, Andressa Fidalgo, Paulo Farinatti, Walace Monteiro,Effects of high-intensity interval and continuous moderate aerobic training on fitness and health markers of older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis,Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics,Volume 124,2024,105451,ISSN 0167-4943,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105451.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167494324001274)

Yu Y, Wang J, Xu J. Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Sep 12;15:1436499. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1436499. PMID: 39328348; PMCID: PMC11424528.

Zhang Y, Zhou M, Yin Z, Zhuang W, Wang Y. Relationship between physical activities and mental health in older people: a bibliometric analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2024 Oct 21;15:1424745. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1424745. PMID: 39497901; PMCID: PMC11532734.

Garcia Meneguci, C. A., Meneguci, J., Sasaki, J. E., Tribess, S., & Júnior, J. S. V. (2021). Physical activity, sedentary behavior and functionality in older adults: A cross-sectional path analysis. PloS one, 16(1), e0246275. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246275

Mennitti C, Farina G, Imperatore A, De Fonzo G, Gentile A, La Civita E, Carbone G, De Simone RR, Di Iorio MR, Tinto N, Frisso G, D’Argenio V, Lombardo B, Terracciano D, Crescioli C, Scudiero O. How Does Physical Activity Modulate Hormone Responses? Biomolecules. 2024 Nov 7;14(11):1418. doi: 10.3390/biom14111418. PMID: 39595594; PMCID: PMC11591795.

Beavers KM, Brinkley TE, Nicklas BJ. Effect of exercise training on chronic inflammation. Clin Chim Acta. 2010 Jun 3;411(11-12):785-93. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2010.02.069. Epub 2010 Feb 25. PMID: 20188719; PMCID: PMC3629815.

Chastin, S.F.M., Abaraogu, U., Bourgois, J.G. et al. Effects of Regular Physical Activity on the Immune System, Vaccination and Risk of Community-Acquired Infectious Disease in the General Population: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 51, 1673–1686 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01466-1

Hoffman GJ, Malani PN, Solway E, Kirch M, Singer DC, Kullgren JT. Changes in activity levels, physical functioning, and fall risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Jan;70(1):49-59. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17477. Epub 2021 Sep 24. PMID: 34536288.

Rey-Lopez JP, Rimm EB, Tabung FK, Giovannucci EL. Long-Term Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intensity and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort of US Adults. Circulation. 2022 Aug 16;146(7):523-534. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.058162. Epub 2022 Jul 25. PMID: 35876019; PMCID: PMC9378548.

Hupin D, Roche F, Gremeaux V, Chatard JC, Oriol M, Gaspoz JM, Barthélémy JC, Edouard P. Even a low-dose of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces mortality by 22% in adults aged ≥60 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Oct;49(19):1262-7. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094306. Epub 2015 Aug 3. PMID: 26238869.

Chandrasekaran B, Ganesan TB. Sedentarism and chronic disease risk in COVID 19 lockdown – a scoping review. Scott Med J. 2021 Feb;66(1):3-10. doi: 10.1177/0036933020946336. Epub 2020 Jul 27. PMID: 32718266; PMCID: PMC8685753.

Izquierdo M, Merchant RA, Morley JE, Anker SD, Aprahamian I, Arai H, Aubertin-Leheudre M, Bernabei R, Cadore EL, Cesari M, Chen LK, de Souto Barreto P, Duque G, Ferrucci L, Fielding RA, García-Hermoso A, Gutiérrez-Robledo LM, Harridge SDR, Kirk B, Kritchevsky S, Landi F, Lazarus N, Martin FC, Marzetti E, Pahor M, Ramírez-Vélez R, Rodriguez-Mañas L, Rolland Y, Ruiz JG, Theou O, Villareal DT, Waters DL, Won Won C, Woo J, Vellas B, Fiatarone Singh M. International Exercise Recommendations in Older Adults (ICFSR): Expert Consensus Guidelines. J Nutr Health Aging. 2021;25(7):824-853. doi: 10.1007/s12603-021-1665-8. PMID: 34409961; PMCID: PMC12369211.

Bunnell E, Stratton MT. The Impact of Functional Training on Balance and Vestibular Function: A Narrative Review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2024 Dec 3;9(4):251. doi: 10.3390/jfmk9040251. PMID: 39728235; PMCID: PMC11679947.

Caspersen CJ, Powell KE, Christenson GM. Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public Health Rep. 1985 Mar-Apr;100(2):126-31. PMID: 3920711; PMCID: PMC1424733.

Warner A, Vanicek N, Benson A, Myers T, Abt G. Agreement and relationship between measures of absolute and relative intensity during walking: A systematic review with meta-regression. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 3;17(11):e0277031. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277031. PMID: 36327341; PMCID: PMC9632890.

“Metabolic Equivalent (MET): Pick the Best Exercise for Longevity.” Whyiexercise.com, www.whyiexercise.com/metabolic-equivalent.html.

Love what you heard?
Consider leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more vestibular warriors like you!

This podcast is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

—————————————

strength and resistance training, exercises for vestibular disorders, living with vestibular migraine, guidelines of physical activity, anxiety and depression, chronic dizziness, couch bound, bed bound, dizzy-anxious-dizzy cycle, physical therapist

...more

View all episodes

By Dr. Madison Oak, PT, DPT

4.9

5757 ratings