Positional vertigo, sometimes called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is a condition that results in severe dizziness and a sense of motion when none is present. It is often brought on by rapidly moving your head, and can be most severe when moving from a lying to a sitting or standing position. Exercises that focus on head and body positioning may help to alleviate your BPPV.
Brandt-Daroff Exercises
Sit on your bed with your legs on the ground and your shoulders directly over your hips. Lie down on your right side and turn your head about 45 degrees to the left. Hold this position until any dizziness goes away. Quickly sit up and return to the starting position. Sit for 30 seconds to allow any dizziness to subside. Lie down on your left side and turn your head about 45 degrees to the right. Hold this position until your dizziness goes away. Return to the starting position with your feet on the floor. This is one repetition of the exercise. Repeat for the number of repetitions prescribed by your doctor.
Semont Maneuver
Begin by sitting on the edge of a bed or a table. Lie down and turn your head about 45 degrees to the right. Roll over onto your left side and turn your head about 45 degrees to the left. Quickly sit up and return to the starting position. This is one repetition. Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.
Epley Maneuver
The Epley maneuver is similar to the Semont exercise, but gives you time to adjust to the different positions. Begin by sitting on the side of your bed, then lie down. Stay in this position until your dizziness subsides. Turn your head slightly to the left and hold this position until your dizziness subsides. Turn your head to the right and allow time to get used to the position without any dizziness. Turn over onto your right side and sit up slowly. Be sure that you don't perform this exercise too quickly, since this can aggravate your condition.
Precautions
After performing the Epley or Semont maneuvers, wait for about 10 minutes before performing any activities that could aggravate your dizziness, since your inner ear will be affected. Sleep in a recliner rather than a bed for a couple of nights following your treatment to avoid excess movement of the fluid in your inner ear. Keep your head as vertical as possible during the day and avoid any activities or exercises that require rapid head movement.
