Headache, Dizziness & Sensory Disorders
A Neuro-Timing and Sensory Integration Perspective
Headaches, dizziness, and sensory disturbances are often treated as isolated conditions involving muscles, blood vessels, or inner ear structures. In many cases, however, these symptoms reflect instability in how sensory information is timed, integrated, and regulated within the nervous system.
When neurologic timing becomes disrupted, the brain may struggle to coordinate signals from vision, hearing, balance, and body position. This can result in sensory overload, amplification, or misinterpretation even in the absence of structural damage.
A Timing-Based View of Sensory Disorders
The thalamus serves as the central coordination hub for sensory input. Information from the eyes, ears, vestibular system, and body converges here before being integrated and distributed throughout the brain.
When thalamocortical timing becomes unstable, sensory signals may arrive out of sync or at inappropriate intensity. The brain may respond by amplifying, suppressing, or misrouting these signals, leading to symptoms that fluctuate with stress, fatigue, illness, or environmental load.
This timing instability is commonly referred to as thalamocortical dysrhythmia (TCD).
Learn more about Thalamocortical Dysrhythmia
Common Symptom Patterns
Disrupted sensory timing may contribute to:
- Headaches or persistent head pressure
- Migraines or migraine-like patterns without clear triggers
- Light or sound sensitivity
- Dizziness, imbalance, or a floating sensation
- Motion sensitivity
- Visual disturbances such as blurring, shimmering, or difficulty tracking
Symptoms often vary in intensity and may not follow predictable mechanical or structural patterns.
How Sensory Timing Is Assessed
Assessment focuses on identifying neurologic asymmetry and timing instability rather than structural pathology alone. This may include:
- Functional neurologic and balance testing
- Sensory symmetry and coordination evaluation
- Auditory frequency-based timing assessment to evaluate thalamocortical regulation
These approaches help identify patterns of dysregulation that may not appear on standard imaging or laboratory tests.
Learn more about Acoustic Timing Testing
How Care Is Directed
Care is directed toward restoring accurate sensory integration and improving timing stability within central regulatory networks.
Rather than forcing suppression of symptoms, the goal is to support the nervous system’s ability to process sensory input coherently and efficiently. As integration improves, symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and sensory sensitivity often become less frequent and less intense.
Near-Infrared Cold Laser and Sensory Regulation
Near-infrared cold laser stimulation applied to specific sensory nerve regions provides a precise, non-invasive timing signal to the nervous system.
This input can support improved communication between peripheral sensory pathways and central integration centers, including the thalamus. By stabilizing timing during sensory processing, the system is better able to regulate signal intensity and coordination.
This approach is gentle, does not involve medications, and is designed to support regulation rather than suppression.