Vertigo, or the sense of movement when there is none present, can be a crippling condition that results in your inability to enjoy your daily life and carry out daily activities. Positional vertigo is a sense of motion when your body is in a specific position that is caused by a buildup of waste products in your inner ear. Some exercises might help treat this condition, but check with your doctor to determine whether they are right for your specific condition.
Brandt-Daroff Exercise
Brandt-Daroff exercises are designed to help ease the symptom of vertigo by repositioning your head to help compensate for the sense of motion. It is often used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a condition caused by problems in the inner ear. It is performed by sitting on the edge of your bed or other chair and using a rapid motion to lean to the side where you feel the most dizzy. You should lean over completely until your ear is resting on the sofa or chair. Hold this position until your dizziness subsides, or for 30 seconds, and sit up. Repeat as directed by your doctor.
Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises
This set of exercises helps train your eyes and body to help compensate for improper balance signals sent to the brain by your inner ear. They are performed in a progressive manner that begins with eye movements while you're lying down. Move your eyes first up and down and then from side to side, beginning with slow movements and gradually picking up the pace. Follow this by focusing your eyes on your finger that is held about three feet from your nose and gradually turn your head from side to side and up and down while focusing on your finger. Repeat while lying down, sitting upright and finally standing and moving. Be sure that you consult with your doctor for progressions of this exercise that are right for you. You should perform repetitions of this exercise as directed by your doctor, usually three six-minute exercise sessions daily.
Epley Maneuver
The Epley exercise helps treat vertigo that results from the collection of debris in your inner ear, according to Dr. Timothy Hain. It is performed by moving your head through a four-position series of positions. Begin by sitting on the edge of your bed with your eyes looking straight ahead. Stay in this position for about 30 seconds and then lie down on your back and turn your head to the right at about a 45-degree angle. Hold this position for about 30 seconds, then turn your head at a 45-degree angle to your left side and hold this position for 30 seconds. Turn onto your left shoulder, hold this position for about 30 seconds and repeat. Hain recommends that you perform this exercise as recommended by your doctor or therapist.
Gaze Stabilization Exercises
The goal of these exercises is to train your inner ear to be able to focus on an object while in motion, according to writers at the Brain and Spine Foundation. Begin by sitting down and looking directly in front of you. Focus on an object, like a letter written on a card, that your doctor or therapist holds at eye level directly in front of you. At your doctor's direction, keep your eyes focused on the object and begin to move your head from left to right. Continue to perform this exercise for about a minute if you aren't too dizzy. If dizziness occurs, talk to your doctor about slowing down your head movement. A variation of this exercise can be performed by moving your head up and down while focused on the object. Try to perform the complete series of movements three times daily.
