The vestibular system consists of sensory organs in the inner ear that are responsible for balance, spatial orientation and the coordination of head and eye movements. For the body to maintain balance, it requires that information be received by the brain from the vestibular organs in the inner ear, as well as from the eyes, muscles and joints. When this vestibular system is disrupted by damage to one or more components, impaired balance can occur, along with other symptoms, such as:
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Vision deficits
- Neurofatigue
- Problems concentrating
- Anxiety and/or depression
All these serious health issues are why we do not take persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) lightly. Promising initial results from a new vestibular spin training apparatus may offer an easy-to-use new treatment option for those with balance-based PPCS.
What Is a Rail Unit Spinner?
In 2025, MAC Alliance introduced vestibular spin training to our patients on the VTS Rail Unit Spinner©. The apparatus is designed to help improve balance, other vestibular deficits and reaction time through a series of spinning exercises. The equipment was developed exclusively by R&J Spinners for Vestibular Training Services (VTS), and is used as part of a coordinated recovery treatment plan that can also include other therapies, such as medication, ocular (vision) therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT).
Glynn Willard, a retired certified strength and conditioning specialist and co-creator of the VTS Rail Unit Spinner, says that engaging the body from the ground up is crucial to vestibular training. “The Rail Unit can be easily adopted into a VRT or physical therapy program for concussion recovery,” says Willard. He notes that Rail Unit training is meant for patients with PPCS who are struggling with lingering effects of their concussions, and not recommended for those with severe TBI symptoms immediately after injury.
How the Rail Unit Spinner Works for Concussion and TBI Patients
By subjecting your vestibular system to the novel experience of spinning in a controlled, monitored and safe environment, rail spin can improve your quality of life for those suffering with certain long-term traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms. Specifically:
- Improved Balance: Rotating your body forces an improvement in the communication between your ocular, proprioceptive and postural systems, ultimately leading to improved balance.
- Improved Reaction Time: Spinning forces an improvement in the communication between your ocular, proprioceptive and postural systems, leading to an improved reaction time to external stimuli.
- Increase Brain Plasticity: Disruption of the vestibular system sets a cascade of events yielding a more “plastic” brain. Ultimately leading to improved cognition.
“For our post-concussion syndrome patients, we have seen overwhelmingly positive feedback,” says medical director and founder of Mid-Atlantic Concussion (MAC) Alliance, Vincent Schaller, MD, DABFM, CIC. “We have been evaluating the Rail Unit Spinner for almost a year now, and we see measurable improvements.” He and his team have seen these improvements in Sway Balance, neurocognitive and vestibular ocular reflex (VOR) tests.
Dr. Schaller notes that while these findings are encouraging, further research is still needed to fully understand the benefits of controlled rotation in concussion recovery. “For people who suffer with long-lasting, debilitating symptoms from concussions and other TBIs, being able to safely participate in this type of vestibular training could be a real game-changer,” he says.
Rail Unit Spinner Training: An Overview
The Rail Unit Spinner system provides self-supported rotation, without the need for an overhead harness. It eliminates the need for an anchored harness system, which are usually only found in physical therapy locations meant for athletes. With the Rail Unit Spinner, patients use and exercise their body’s sense of position, movement and force. The Rail Unit changes up direction and speed during the session, while a safety belt prevents patients from dangerous falls.
The unit allows for a wide range of controlled rotation speeds—from a gentle 1 RPM up to a more dynamic 60 RPM—so that the training sessions can be customized for patients of all abilities. Because there is no ceiling height requirement with this equipment, this system is versatile and adaptable to various spaces. A qualified medical professional, team trainer or coach skilled in observing and interpreting the participant’s body language is still necessary to supervise all sessions and monitor progress
“Not only does rail spin therapy improve recovery for our concussion and TBI patients, but most of them find the sessions kind of fun and challenging,” says Dr. Schaller. “They are enthusiastic about their therapy because they can feel the difference spin training is making.” He notes that all types of patients are seeing improvements, from kids, teens and athletes to adults and seniors.
Patient Feedback on Rail Spin Training with Post-Concussion Vestibular Therapy
“Here at MAC Alliance, concussion patients report that the rail spin training has helped improve their balance, reflexes and general cognition,” says Dr. Schaller. “And it isn’t just what these patients are self-reporting; we see improvements in their objective and neurocognitive test results, too. It’s measurable.”
In addition, Willard says that VTS recently reported that in their own ongoing research. Some early promising findings show subjects are demonstrating a 75% overall improvement in disorientation symptoms after taking on rail spin training.
Contact Us Today About Rail Spin Training at MAC Alliance
MAC Alliance concussion specialists create individualized treatment plans for each patient’s unique recovery journey. We now offer medically supervised VTS Rail Unit Spinner training for post-concussion syndrome (PCS) patients. Contact us for information.
We also use clinically proven brain-testing and monitoring tools to diagnose and treat traumatic brain injuries. These include:
- BrainScope® One-EEG head injury assessment
- Creyos® and ImPACT® neurocognitive testing
- RightEye® infrared eye-tracking
- SPECT Scan 3D metabolic brain imaging,
- Sway Balance Systems® vestibular balance assessments.
In addition, we offer affordable hyperbaric oxygen therapy at our HBOT Center and ocular therapy in our Hockessin location.
