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Exercises for vertigo

These exercises are recommended to help people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. A doctor or specially trained physiotherapist will decide if they are suitable for you

The Epley manoeuvre

Watch this video about how a doctor does the Epley manoeuvre.

The Epley manoeuvre has been shown to improve symptoms in about 50% of people with BPPV. It involves four separate head movements to move the fragments that cause vertigo to a place where they no longer cause symptoms.

Your symptoms should improve shortly after the Epley manoeuvre is performed, although it may take up to two weeks for a complete recovery.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms haven't improved after four weeks. The Epley manoeuvre isn't usually a long-term cure and may need to be repeated.

Brandt-Daroff exercises

Sometimes the Epley manoeuvre is not successful or unsuitable, for example if you have neck or back problems. In those cases, your doctor may recommend Brandt-Daroff exercises.

Watch this video about how to do Brandt-Daroff exercises.

The Brandt-Daroff exercises are designed to break up the fragments and unblock the ear canal.

You will need to repeat these exercises three or four times a day for two days in a row. Your symptoms may improve for up to two weeks.

Your doctor will teach you how to these exercises. The following is a guide:

For the exercises to be helpful, you must experience the symptoms of dizziness. If the exercises are done regularly, the symptoms should resolve over a period of several days in most cases.

On the next page: Self-care for vertigo

Content shared between HealthInfo Canterbury, KidsHealth and Health Navigator NZ as part of a National Health Content Hub collaborative. Page created May 2020.

Page reference: 707782

Review key: HIVER-17706