What Is VOMS and How Does It Work?

Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening, commonly known as VOMS, is a specialised clinical tool used primarily to assess and track vestibular and ocular motor impairments. These impairments are often linked to concussion and other brain injuries, which can affect balance, vision, and coordination. Understanding VOMS is essential for anyone recovering from head trauma, and it plays a vital role in guiding treatment plans — including osteopathic care.

What Does VOMS Stand For?

Vestibular relates to the inner ear and brain systems responsible for balance and spatial orientation.

Ocular Motor refers to the movement of the eyes and how well they work together to focus and track objects.

The VOMS test is designed to detect symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or blurred vision that arise when these systems are disrupted.

Why Is VOMS Important?

After a concussion or head injury, many people experience difficulties with their balance and eye movements. These issues can persist and affect daily activities such as reading, walking, or driving. The VOMS test helps clinicians identify which specific vestibular or ocular motor systems are impaired.

Early identification allows healthcare professionals to tailor rehabilitation, improving recovery times and reducing the risk of long-term complications.

How Is the VOMS Test Conducted?

VOMS testing consists of several brief tasks aimed at provoking symptoms related to vestibular and ocular motor function. These tasks include:

Smooth Pursuit: Following a moving target with the eyes.
Saccades: Rapid eye movements between two targets, both horizontally and vertically.
Vestibular-Ocular Reflex (VOR): Maintaining gaze on a target while moving the head side to side or up and down.
Visual Motion Sensitivity: Assessing symptoms when exposed to moving visual stimuli.
Near Point of Convergence: Measuring the closest point at which the eyes can focus on a target.

READ Beyond Pain Relief - What Physiotherapists Can Do For You

During each task, patients report any onset or increase in symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, or fogginess. The clinician scores these responses to identify the severity and nature of the dysfunction.

How Osteopaths Use VOMS in Treatment

Osteopaths play an important role in managing vestibular and ocular motor dysfunction following concussion or other injuries. Because osteopathy focuses on the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and overall body balance, osteopaths are well placed to address issues detected by VOMS.

Osteopathic Treatment for VOMS-Related Symptoms Includes:

Manual Therapy: Gentle mobilisation and manipulation of the neck and upper spine can improve blood flow and nerve function, helping reduce dizziness and improve balance.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises: Osteopaths may guide patients through specific exercises to retrain the vestibular system and eye movements, based on VOMS findings.
Postural Correction: Improving posture and alignment reduces strain on the vestibular system and can alleviate symptoms.
Neurological Assessment: Osteopaths assess the nervous system’s function to support recovery and identify any contributing factors.

By combining VOMS assessment with hands-on treatment and rehabilitation exercises, osteopaths help patients regain balance, reduce headaches, and improve vision stability.

The Watson Headache Approach

Another valuable technique osteopaths may incorporate is the Watson Headache Approach — a manual therapy method that focuses on identifying and treating the upper cervical spine as a source of headache and dizziness symptoms.

This approach is particularly effective in patients who experience headaches or neck-related symptoms following a concussion or other head trauma. Practitioners use specific palpation techniques to detect sensitivity in the upper cervical segments, which can often reproduce a patient’s headache in a controlled setting. This helps confirm the neck as a source of symptoms.

READ NDIS and Occupational Therapy - How Can It Help You?

By targeting this area, the Watson Headache Approach can:

Reduce the frequency and intensity of post-concussion headaches
Improve neck mobility and reduce referred symptoms
Support the vestibular system by addressing upper neck dysfunction, which may compound balance issues

When integrated alongside VOMS assessment and osteopathic care, the Watson Headache Approach provides a targeted and non-invasive way to manage post-concussive symptoms, especially in cases involving chronic or cervicogenic headaches.

Who Should Have a VOMS Assessment?

VOMS is particularly useful for:

Individuals who have suffered a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury
Patients experiencing ongoing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, or balance issues
Athletes returning to sport after a head injury
Anyone referred by a general practitioner, neurologist, or allied health professional for vestibular or ocular motor screening

Conclusion

VOMS is a crucial screening tool that helps identify vestibular and ocular motor impairments often caused by concussion and other head injuries. Through targeted assessment and symptom tracking, it enables healthcare providers—including osteopaths—to tailor effective treatment plans.

Osteopaths, with their holistic approach, can address many symptoms revealed by VOMS through manual therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and postural correction. Techniques like the Watson Headache Approach further enhance treatment, particularly in patients dealing with persistent headaches linked to neck dysfunction.

If you or someone you know is recovering from a concussion or experiencing related symptoms, consulting an osteopath experienced in VOMS and the Watson Headache Approach could be an important step towards a smoother recovery.