Conditions
After a cruise or a long flight, many people feel a rocking sensation for a short time. In mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS), that feeling does not go away. This page explains what MdDS is, how it is diagnosed, what treatments are described by medical sources, and how we approach it at Strong Tower. It is general information, not a diagnosis.
Cleveland Clinic advises seeing a provider whenever you feel like you are moving when you are not, especially if it lasts longer than 24 hours (Cleveland Clinic, February 2024). Sudden dizziness with weakness, trouble speaking, double vision, or a severe headache can signal a stroke and needs emergency care. Call 911.
Cleveland Clinic describes MdDS as a rare vestibular disorder that causes a feeling of motion when you are not moving. The name means "sickness of disembarkation." Symptoms include rocking, swaying, or bobbing, unsteadiness, brain fog, and anxiety or depression. Unlike some vestibular disorders, it does not cause spinning, vomiting, hearing loss, or tinnitus. Symptoms often feel worse when standing still or lying down. Cleveland Clinic also reports that about 85% of cases affect women aged 30 to 60, and that it is more common in people with migraines (Cleveland Clinic, February 2024).
Most often, sea travel or other water-based activities. Less commonly, air travel, extended car or train travel, elevators, walking on docks, waterbeds, or virtual reality goggles. Some cases start without any motion, after childbirth, surgery, or head trauma. Experts believe the brain has trouble readapting once the unfamiliar motion stops (Cleveland Clinic, February 2024).
No single test confirms MdDS. Providers rule out similar conditions such as vestibular migraine, using hearing and balance tests and sometimes a CT or MRI. The Bárány Society published diagnostic criteria in 2020. Its core symptom is a non-spinning rocking, bobbing, or swaying sensation that is present continuously or most of the day, begins within 48 hours after passive motion ends, lasts more than 48 hours, and temporarily lessens during passive motion such as driving. Symptoms lasting more than one month are called persistent (Cha and colleagues, Journal of Vestibular Research, 2020).
MdDS can look like persistent postural-perceptual dizziness and vestibular migraine, so a careful evaluation matters. See our PPPD and Vestibular Migraine pages.
Cleveland Clinic says there is no guaranteed cure and that MdDS often resolves on its own. Most people improve within 24 hours, some recover within a week or two, and others have symptoms for a year or longer. Motion sickness drugs do not help. Medicines for anxiety, depression, insomnia, or migraine may ease symptoms for some people. Vestibular rehabilitation, with exercises for balance retraining and eye movement control, is described as one option, and a newer approach that uses electrodes on the scalp to retrain brain activity is also described (Cleveland Clinic, February 2024).
Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced training in functional neurology. He is not an ENT. If symptoms last beyond a day or so, we recommend a medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes. Beyond that, we look at how balance, eye movements, and the neck are working, and where it fits, care may include vestibular and eye movement exercises.
Our care is meant to be complementary to your medical care. See our Vestibular Rehabilitation and Eye Movement Therapy pages.
It varies. Cleveland Clinic says most people improve within 24 hours, while some have symptoms for a year or longer.
Cleveland Clinic says it does not.
The Bárány criteria describe symptoms that temporarily lessen during passive motion such as driving.
No. MdDS does not cause spinning. See our Vertigo & Balance page.
Anxiety and depression can come with MdDS, according to Cleveland Clinic. A medical evaluation helps sort out the causes.
Next steps
If a rocking feeling will not go away,