Have you ever felt like you were still moving after stepping off a boat, plane, or even a treadmill? For most, that sensation fades within hours. But for some, it lingers—and even worsens. This condition is called Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS), and it can be life-altering. The good news? With the right exercises and targeted therapy, many people find relief. At Revolution Rehab in Grand Rapids, MI, we specialize in helping patients manage MdDS through personalized treatment strategies and vestibular rehabilitation.
Understanding Mal de Débarquement Syndrome
Mal de Débarquement means “sickness of disembarkment” in French. It typically occurs after motion exposure, such as a cruise or long flight, and is marked by the persistent sensation of rocking, swaying, or bobbing—even when standing still.
What’s Happening in the Brain?
MdDS is not a problem with the inner ear itself but rather a neurological issue involving the brain’s motion adaptation system. While your brain normally readjusts once you’re back on solid ground, in MdDS, that adaptation process becomes “stuck.” The result? You continue to feel as though you’re in motion, even though you’re perfectly still.
Common symptoms include:
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Chronic imbalance or unsteadiness
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Brain fog or trouble concentrating
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Fatigue, anxiety, or visual sensitivity
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Difficulty tolerating busy environments or screens
This condition is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, making proper evaluation and specialized therapy essential.
Common Causes and Triggers
While the most well-known trigger is disembarkation from boats or planes, MdDS can also follow:
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Car rides, especially long-distance travel
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Virtual reality use or immersive video games
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Intense treadmill workouts
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Stress or vestibular migraines
Even no identifiable trigger is reported in some cases. This form—spontaneous MdDS—can still benefit from treatment but often requires a more in-depth rehab approach.
Diagnosis: How to Know if You Have MdDS
There is no single test to diagnose Mal de Débarquement. Instead, diagnosis relies on clinical expertise, detailed history-taking, and exclusion of other vestibular or neurological conditions.
At Revolution Rehab, we begin with:
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Comprehensive balance and gait testing
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Vestibular screening for nystagmus or abnormal eye movements
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Postural control evaluation in various environments
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Symptom timeline analysis to connect episodes with motion exposure
We also screen for red flags such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or inner ear disorders. If further imaging (like MRI) or referral is necessary, we guide you through that process.
Mal de Débarquement Treatment Exercises
Because MdDS is neurologically based, exercise retrains the brain’s balance system. Our therapists design tailored vestibular rehab programs to promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and recalibrate.
Here’s how it works:
1. Gaze Stabilization Exercises
These are foundational for retraining the brain’s ability to coordinate visual input and motion.
Example: X1 Viewing
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Fix your eyes on a small target (like a letter on the wall)
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Turn your head side to side while keeping the target in focus
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Begin seated, progress to standing and walking
These exercises are performed multiple times a day and may initially worsen symptoms—but this is a sign of progress as your brain re-learns equilibrium.
2. Habituation Exercises
These reduce sensitivity to movement triggers and visual motion.
Example: Visual Motion Exposure
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Sit in front of a screen showing moving dots or scrolling patterns
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Start with short durations and build up tolerance
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Combine with postural exercises as tolerated
We gradually increase challenge as your nervous system adjusts, minimizing overstimulation while building resilience.
3. Balance Retraining
This improves stability and proprioception (your body’s awareness of position in space).
Example: Foam Surface Balance
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Stand on a foam pad with feet together
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Perform head turns or reach tasks while maintaining balance
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Progress to single-leg stance or dynamic tasks like stepping
Balance exercises restore confidence and reduce motion sensitivity in daily life.
4. Optokinetic Stimulation
Some MdDS patients respond well to optokinetic therapy, where you view left-to-right moving visual stimuli while turning your head rhythmically. This technique is based on research into functional brain reset protocols used in MdDS clinics worldwide.
We can incorporate this with other movement retraining strategies to optimize outcomes.
Other Treatment Options
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques
Because anxiety and stress can worsen symptoms, we may integrate mindfulness training, guided breathing, or CBT strategies to help you stay grounded and calm during flares.
Manual Therapy & Neck Support
Cervical tension or vestibular-migraine overlap can aggravate MdDS. Soft tissue work, gentle cervical mobilization, and postural correction techniques may offer symptom relief.
Collaboration with Specialists
If medications like benzodiazepines or SSRIs are indicated by your physician, we can coordinate care. However, therapy remains the cornerstone of long-term relief.
Prevention & Long-Term Strategies
While MdDS isn’t fully “curable” for all individuals, many patients greatly improve with targeted therapy and self-management.
Here’s what we advise:
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Avoid high-risk motion (long cruises or turbulent flights) during recovery
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Use visual fixation techniques during travel (focusing on still objects)
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Practice stress management to reduce triggers
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Engage in regular vestibular exercises to maintain gains
Revolution Rehab provides home programs, video-guided support, and check-ins to ensure lasting results.
Call to Action: Find Stability Again with Revolution Rehab
Living with Mal de Débarquement can be frustrating and isolating—but you are not alone. At Revolution Rehab in Grand Rapids, MI, we understand the complexity of this condition and have helped many patients find their footing again—literally.
Our vestibular rehabilitation team combines science-backed exercises, one-on-one support, and a deep understanding of MdDS to help you recalibrate and regain control of your life.
Ready to stop the rocking and reclaim your balance?
Call Revolution Rehab today to schedule your comprehensive vestibular evaluation. Your journey toward steady ground starts here. Book a consultation today at our Grand Rapids clinic.