HealthInfo Canterbury
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.
- Each head position is held for at least 30 seconds.
- During the movements, you may experience some vertigo.
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:
- Sit on the edge of a bed and turn your head slightly to the left (approximately 45 degrees).
- While maintaining this head position, lie down quickly on your right side so that the back of your head is resting on the bed.
- Wait for 20 to 30 seconds or for any dizziness to go away.
- Sit up straight, and again wait for 20 to 30 seconds or for any dizziness to go away.
- Turn your head slightly to the right and repeat the sequence in the opposite direction.
- Continue as above for 10 minutes (five or more repetitions to each side). Perform the exercises three times daily if possible.
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.
Review key: HIVER-17706
