A new viral TikTok trend can help detect and diagnose several different health issues, according to a vestibular physical therapist.
TikTok is filled with countless of viral trends, with some being more easy to recreate than others. The latest trend to go viral on the app is called the marching trend, and has one or more participants close their eyes and march on the same spot for a minute.
The goal of the trend is to try and not move from your starting point, however most people fail and end up walking several meters away without even realising.
While the trend may seem harmless at first, a vestibular physical therapist has made her own TikTok video to inform people that the trend might actually help detect and diagnose any dizziness problems you might have. The video started off by showing a different video of three people participating in the trend, with everyone getting different results.
It then cut to the PT, who said: "This is literally a test we do as vestibular physical therapists to see if we need to treat someone for dizziness, or like motion sickness or actually just for inner ear health in general. And this is hilarious, it is called the Stepping Fukuda, and if you, according to research turn more than 30 degrees one way after 25 steps, you have a deficit."
She went on to reference the video she had on in the beginning and said: "And I hate to say this, the man in the middle probably have a significant deficit since he turned 90 degrees. So sir, if you're seeing this and you have any type of dizziness, motion sickness, unsteadiness, anything like that, vestibular physical therapy can help you."
Vestibular physical therapy is a specialised type of physical therapy that is effective in reducing dizziness and vertigo and associated falls and improving quality of life in people with disorders involving balance mechanisms.
What should you do if you experience dizziness?
The NHS explains: "It's common to sometimes feel dizzy, lightheaded or off-balance, and it's not usually serious. See a GP if you're worried."
If you are experiencing symptoms, the NHS advises lying down until the feelings pass. You should also move cautiously and slowly, drink plenty of water and avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.
With some luck, dizziness should ease if you get plenty of rest and look after yourself.