Mal de Débarquement Syndrome
Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a rare neurological condition where you continue to feel a persistent sensation of movement—rocking, swaying, or bobbing after exposure to passive motion, like a cruise, flight, or long car ride. Unlike typical motion sickness, this sensation doesn’t go away once you're back on land and can last for weeks, months, or even years.
At Sparq Physical Therapy in Castle Rock, CO, we understand how disorienting and exhausting MdDS can be. Through vestibular rehabilitation and nervous system retraining, our team helps you adapt to these sensations, calm your symptoms, and regain control of your balance and daily function.
Affected Area
MdDS primarily affects the central nervous system, particularly how the brain processes motion and spatial orientation. While the inner ear may not be damaged, the condition creates a mismatch between the vestibular system, visual system, and proprioception, causing the brain to stay “locked in” to a motion pattern that no longer matches your physical environment.
Symptoms
The hallmark symptom is a constant rocking, swaying, or bobbing sensation, often described as feeling like you’re still on a boat. It may temporarily improve while riding in a car but return once you're still again. Other symptoms may include imbalance, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and hypersensitivity to motion or busy visual environments.
Treatments
Although MdDS is complex and often misunderstood, physical therapy can help retrain your brain to recalibrate and override the persistent false sensation of motion. At Sparq PT, we offer customized vestibular rehab programs designed to gently re-integrate your balance systems. Your plan may include:
Visual-vestibular integration exercises to recalibrate your brain’s motion perception
Balance retraining to improve steadiness and reduce fall risk
Gaze stabilization to reduce visual motion sensitivity
Desensitization strategies to decrease symptom triggers in everyday environments
Mind-body regulation tools such as breathing and grounding techniques to reduce anxiety and support neuroplasticity
Progress with MdDS may be gradual, but with consistent therapy and a personalized plan, relief is possible, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.