Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common condition that causes episodes of vertigo.
It can lead to a spinning or swaying sensation, nausea, and difficulty maintaining balance. Home exercises are becoming popular as a way to treat Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a type of vertigo caused by small calcium crystals moving in your inner ear (semicircular canals). These small crystals moving out of place can make you feel dizzy and as if the world is spinning around you. As its name suggests, it is considered a benign condition caused by changes in the position of your head.
Other common symptoms of Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo include:
- Imbalance
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms can be intermittent, sometimes lasting up to a minute. Often, these symptoms are worsened by changes in head position that cause the crystals to move, causing eye movements called nystagmus. Nystagmus is when your eyes move rapidly and uncontrollably.
This condition is often associated with aging or head trauma, but can sometimes start without any specific cause. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common diagnoses of vertigo in the general population.
You may consider using the following four strategies to improve your benign positional vertigo:
1. Epley maneuver (Canalith repositioning maneuver): Best for Posterior canal Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (most common type)
How to do it:
- Sit on a table with your legs straight.
- Your doctor will turn your head 45 degrees toward the affected ear.
- You will quickly lean back so that your head is slightly off the edge. Hold the position for 30 seconds.
- Your head will then turn 90 degrees to the opposite side.
- Your body will turn another 90 degrees in the same direction so that you are facing down.
- You slowly sit up.
Symptoms may get worse for a short time before improving.
2. Semont Maneuver (Release Maneuver): Best for: Posterior Channel Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (Alternative to Epley Maneuver)
Steps:
- Sit upright and turn your head 45 degrees away from the affected ear.
- Quickly lie down on your side on the painful side, keeping your head facing up.
- After 30 seconds, you will be quickly moved to the opposite side without changing the position of your head.
- Hold the position for 30 seconds, then sit up.
Good for patients who cannot perform the Epley Maneuver. Effective when the crystal is stuck and does not move easily.
3. The Roll/Roll Maneuver: Best for Horizontal Channel Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
How to do it:
- Lie on your back. Now turn your head toward the affected ear.
- Turn your head 90 degrees toward the center.
- Turn your head another 90 degrees to point toward the unaffected ear.
- Roll onto your stomach, eyes down.
- Turn back 90 degrees.
- Now return to a sitting position.
Works well for horizontal channel Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Needs to be done carefully for best results.
4. The Zuma Maneuver: Best for Horizontal Channel Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
How to do it:
- Sit up
- Quickly move to a side-lying position on the affected side.
- Hold this position for 30–60 seconds
- Rotate your body toward the center.
- Turn your head toward the healthy side.
- Return to a sitting position.
Because there are different types of Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, each type requires a specific maneuver to treat. The appropriate maneuver is chosen based on the eye movements (nystagmus) that cause the most dangerous positions.
Recommended:
- Posterior channel Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Epley, Semont maneuver
- Horizontal channel Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Barbeque or Zuma maneuver.
- Motor-impaired employees: Semont or Zuma maneuver
