Do you struggle to walk, stay upright, or perform basic tasks because of vertigo? Do you constantly feel off-balance or like the room you’re in is spinning? If so, you aren’t alone. Vertigo is a common problem often caused by an imbalance in the inner ear.
One of the most common types of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV occurs when canaliths, or tiny calcium particles, become dislodged from their normal position and move to the inner ear. This leads to balance issues and the other pesky symptoms you’re unfortunately familiar with.
Thankfully, physical therapy at Kerrville Physical Therapy in Kerrville, TX can help you find the relief you’re searching for! Call us today to discover how.
What is the Epley Maneuver?
The Epley maneuver is a well-established exercise used to treat BPPV. Dr. John Epley designed a series of movements to dislodge the canaliths from their wrongful positioning in the inner ear. These movements reposition the canaliths into the utricle (a fluid-filled cavity forming part of the labyrinth of the inner ear) which helps combat the symptoms of vertigo.
A physical therapist can perform the Epley maneuver. Typically, this exercise only needs to be performed once and takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
How is the Epley Maneuver Performed?
To perform the Epley maneuver, your physical therapist will firmly rotate your head and neck into different positions. This causes the canalith debris to move out of the semicircular canal into a region of the inner ear where it will no longer cause problems.
This is how the Epley maneuver is performed:
- Your physical therapist will ask you to move to a seated position. They will then turn your head 45 degrees horizontally toward the damaged ear.
- With your head kept in place at its 45 degrees angle, your physical therapist will move you back to a horizontal position. As the debris drifts closer to the canal’s apex, vertigo is likely to strike. This position will be maintained until vertigo subsides, which normally takes less than a minute
- Your PT will rotate your head 90 degrees toward the undamaged ear. You will then shift onto the same side, so you are facing the floor. This may cause another episode of vertigo, which will usually subside within a minute. Stay in this position until it goes away.
If you’re wondering whether the Epley maneuver could help you, visiting a therapist at Kerrville Physical Therapy in Kerrville, TX is a good idea.
Contact Kerrville Physical Therapy today!
If you think the Epley maneuver could benefit you or help to relieve some of your irritating symptoms, don’t hesitate to call Kerrville Physical Therapy in Kerrville, TX today! Our team of dedicated physical therapists will assess your condition and ensure you receive the best possible treatment. A life without the symptoms of vertigo is possible. Start feeling better today.