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08. Vertical and Horizontal Eye Tracking

This technique helps to integrate your vision with your head, neck and body postural control. 

It may be performed laying down, sitting or standing where the former is the least demanding and the latter the most. At the highest level, you can perform it in a staggered stance position or standing on one leg.

Depending on your tolerance, you will vary whether you stop at the midline, the amount of excursion, speed and number of repetitions. It is important that you do not feel more than a mild amount of discomfort and need to adjust your dosage to what is tolerable for you and gradually increase.

 

There are 4 variations to this exercise.

You may perform them all or use your testing technique to determine which exercise(s) are optimal for you right now, including the best frequency and duration to perform each.

 

For any variation of this exercise that you perform:

  • Be aware of your chosen position to perform the exercise in. If sitting, uncross your legs.
  • Only move your eyes/head as far as is comfortable, which for some may not be very much of an excursion and that is okay. Increase your distance only as comfortable.
  • You may need to return to the midline after each side if you have trouble tolerating the technique. 
  • You may need to vary the speed from slow to fast depending on your comfort level. Always start slow. 
  • Use the Physical Resonance tests for the neck and shoulder to help determine which exercises to perform and more specifically what exercise to finish your practice on.

Instructions:

Complete 1-2 sets of 10-15 repetitions of each of the following 4 variations:

  1. Horizontal Eye Movement with Head/Neck Stable: move your eyes side to side without allowing movement in your head, neck or body.
  2. Horizontal Head Movement with Eyes Stable: move your head side to side without allowing movement in your eyes.
  3. Vertical Eye Movement with Head/Neck Stable: move your eyes up and down without allowing movement at your head.
  4. Vertical Head Movement with Eyes Stable: move your head up and down without allowing movement in your eyes.

Perform 1-3x/day for the next 2-3 days. *Unless otherwise directed or tested

  • Optionally, use your testing technique to determine which to perform and your optimal frequency and duration to perform them.

 

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