Wow Vision Therapy Blog
A Life Without Motion Sickness Starts Here at Wow Vision Therapy
If you’ve ever had to pull over because your child was pale and nauseous in the back seat—or if you’re an adult who avoids reading your phone on car rides or dreads long trips because of queasiness—you know how disruptive motion sickness can be. For some, it’s a childhood struggle that’s never outgrown. For others, like our adult patient Ashley, it’s a lifelong challenge that makes everyday travel uncomfortable and frustrating.
At Wow Vision Therapy, we understand the toll that motion sickness takes—not just on the individual, but on the entire family. What most people don’t realize is that this problem isn’t just about the stomach or the inner ear. It often starts with a disconnect between how the eyes and the brain process movement and balance. The good news? This disconnect can be treated—and often resolved—in a matter of weeks through vision therapy.
What Causes Motion Sickness—And Why It’s Not About “Having a Weak Stomach”
Motion sickness is commonly triggered when the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems send conflicting signals to the brain. For example, the eyes may perceive motion (like scrolling on a phone or watching scenery pass by), but the inner ear doesn’t register the same movement—or vice versa. This sensory mismatch can cause nausea, dizziness, sweating, fatigue, and disorientation.
While it’s often dismissed as a minor nuisance, motion sickness can be a sign of neuro-ocular vestibular dysfunction, a condition where the brain struggles to integrate visual and balance-related information effectively. This is not a vision problem in the sense of needing glasses—rather, it’s a functional issue involving the brain’s ability to coordinate visual input with motion and spatial awareness.
Ashley’s Story: No More Sick Rides
Ashley, an adult patient at Wow Vision Therapy, had dealt with severe motion sickness for as long as she could remember. Riding in the car made her nauseous within minutes. Looking at her phone? Forget it. Even on smooth highways, her world would spin. After trying every “trick” in the book—cracking the window, sipping ginger ale, avoiding screens—she came to us for help.
Through a structured neuro-optometric vision therapy program tailored to her specific visual-vestibular profile, Ashley began retraining her brain to process motion and spatial input more accurately. Within a few weeks, she noticed a dramatic improvement. Today, she rides comfortably in the car and travels without fear—something she never thought possible. See Ashley’s story on Facebook
Why Vision Therapy Works
Vision therapy is a proven, non-invasive treatment that targets the root cause of visual-vestibular mismatch. Through a combination of in-office sessions and home-based activities, patients engage in customized developmental vision procedures that improve:
- Eye tracking and stability
- Visual motion tolerance
- Central and peripheral integration
- Gaze shifting and head movement coordination
- Visual-spatial awareness
These activities stimulate neuroplasticity, helping the brain develop more efficient pathways for coordinating vision and balance. For many patients—especially children and teens—significant relief is achieved in just 6–8 weeks of therapy.
What the Research Says
Clinical studies support the role of vision therapy in resolving motion sensitivity. A 2020 study in Frontiers in Neurology showed that patients with visually induced dizziness and vestibular dysfunction significantly improved with combined visual and vestibular rehabilitation. Other research underscores the importance of central-peripheral visual integration in managing motion sensitivity and disorientation.
This is why motion sickness relief through vision therapy is not only possible—it’s predictable.
Summer Is the Ideal Time to Start
With school out and family travel on the rise, summer is the perfect time to address motion sickness once and for all. Whether your child struggles on road trips or you’re an adult who dreads every flight, now is the time to seek answers—and solutions.
At Wow Vision Therapy in St. Joseph and Grand Rapids, we provide comprehensive neuro-optometric evaluations that assess visual-vestibular coordination, followed by personalized therapy programs that deliver lasting relief.
Say Goodbye to Motion Sickness—For You and Your Child
Don’t let another summer be ruined by discomfort and frustration. A life without motion sickness starts with the right diagnosis—and the right therapy.
Call today to schedule your evaluations in St. Joseph or Grand Rapids, Michigan at wowvision.net Let us help you or your child ride, read, scroll, and travel—with comfort and confidence.
Dan L. Fortenbacher, O.D., FOVDR
Founder, Wow Vision Therapy