Ep. 06: Motion Sickness and the Secrets of the Vestibular System

Content

• My Personal Story – From Obsession to Miracle

• Clues from Frequent Yawning

• The Healing Journey – 6 Months of Persistence

• Decoding: Blood – Vestibular System – Motion Sickness

• Conclusion

1. My Personal Story – From Obsession to Miracle

I used to suffer from chronic motion sickness. Just seeing a vehicle start moving in front of me would make my stomach churn, my heart race, my throat tighten, and I could hardly breathe.

So many great work opportunities and memorable trips were missed simply because I dreaded that feeling. Every time I had to travel far, I would be anxious the entire day before, my body feeling as if it had just gone through an illness.

Then one day, a miracle happened. I… completely stopped feeling motion sickness, and it happened entirely by chance. Being someone who pays attention to every change in my body, I couldn’t ignore this. I asked myself: “Why did I stop feeling motion sick? What changed in my body?”

2. Clues from Frequent Yawning

At that time, I frequently yawned, both long and short yawns, especially at school. A lingering sense of fatigue and low energy persisted. From my experience in listening to my body, I immediately thought of anemia – a condition many women experience but often overlook. I decided to see a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor for diagnosis and support.

3. The Healing Journey – 6 Months of Persistence

The doctor confirmed that my body showed signs of weak qi and blood. I then began a 6-month journey that included:

• Body cleansing: Drinking pure sugarcane juice daily to detoxify and replenish minerals.

• Reducing unhealthy foods: Minimizing fried foods, soft drinks, and oily processed foods.

• TCM medication and acupuncture: Taking prescribed medicine daily and receiving weekly acupuncture to stimulate blood circulation and balance qi and blood.

• Dry sauna: Once a week to remove toxins and improve blood flow.

• Therapeutic massage: Once a week to relax the body, release tension, and improve circulation.

After a few months, my frequent yawning disappeared. Even more surprisingly, I realized I no longer suffered from motion sickness. At that moment, I felt genuinely emotional, having once thought I would endure motion sickness for life.

4. Decoding: Blood – Vestibular System – Motion Sickness

Delving deeper, I began to understand the strong connection between blood and the vestibular system.

a. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and controls balance and motion perception. When riding in a vehicle, if the eyes and vestibular system receive conflicting signals, the brain becomes “confused,” triggering nausea and dizziness – the essence of motion sickness.

b. Blood is the nourishment for the vestibular system and the entire nervous system. When blood is insufficient or qi and blood are weak, the vestibular system becomes hyper-sensitive, overreacting to vibrations and motion. The result: even the slightest vehicle movement causes discomfort and nausea.

In other words, the vestibular system acts as a sensor, while blood serves as the energy source for that sensor. When nourishment improves, the vestibular system strengthens, the brain receives enough oxygen, and motion conflicts during travel decrease significantly.

5. Conclusion

I once thought motion sickness was my fate, but in reality, the body has the ability to heal itself if cared for properly. If you are also struggling with motion sickness, try looking more closely at your overall health, especially your blood. Like me, you might discover a sustainable solution rather than relying solely on motion sickness medication for every trip. Thank you for listening to today’s story. I hope my journey offers you a fresh perspective and a little motivation to start taking care of yourself.