As a neuro-vestibular physiotherapist who has been treating people with the knock-on effects of mild traumatic brain injury for many decades, my view is our society is taking two steps forward and one step back when it comes to understanding concussion and putting proper safeguards and treatment regimes into place. And this is because our […]
Prof Dr Margie Sharpe
Football codes are waking up to the danger of concussion in sport
As the dust settles on Grand Final season for both the National Rugby League and the Australian Football League, these football codes have a unique opportunity to take a firm stand on concussion in sport and implement important protections immediately. I have long argued (like a voice in the wilderness) for sports codes to take […]
Stopping migraines would alleviate Australia’s $35b headache
I didn’t need to read the Migraine in Australia Whitepaper by Deloitte Access Economics to know that many Australians suffer from migraines. However, if you like figures, the report, as summaried by Headache Australia, details that in 2018, 4.9 million Australians were suffering from migraine, with 71% of them being women, of whom most are […]
Dizziness from swimming in cold water traced to caloric response in vestibular system
Why do many triathletes report dizziness during and after the swimming leg of a triathlon? We now know it’s due to the interaction between coldness and the vestibular system; that system in the inner ear that reports spatial data to our brains. During Balance Awareness Week, it’s timely to look at dizziness in swimmers because […]
Balance Awareness Week: Imagine living life without balance?
Close your eyes and stand on one foot. It’s hard, isn’t it? Now imagine having that same disorienting feeling on two feet, and with your eyes open. Balance is something most of us take for granted and never need to think about – until we lose it. Unlike Fiona Flamingo, who is next to me […]
BalanceBelt: Reflections on a belt that helps people with severe balance disorders
Now that some patients with Bilateral Vestibular Loss (BVL) due to the loss of the balance (vestibular) organs in both ears have trialled wearing the BalanceBelt designed to improve severe unsteadiness, it has led me to reflect on the complexities of balance. If you’ve sought professional help for a balance disorder, or done some research, […]