Vertigo is a type of dizziness where a person
feels a spinning sensation while standing at the same place. You may feel as
the world is spinning around you or you are spinning yourself. Vertigo causes
hindrance in daily chores and makes it quite difficult to accomplish day to day
activities. A person may even face a problem from getting up from the bed or
even tilting the head. Doctors prescribe certain exercises for
vertigo that can be practiced daily at home to treat the symptoms of vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo and central vertigo are the two type of vertigo that is
caused due to inner ear problem and problem in the brain respectively. Vertigo
exercises are effective in treating Peripheral vertigo that is caused due to
benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). It is caused due to the deposition
of calcium crystals in the inner ear. Vertigo exercises help in repositioning
the calcium deposition in the inner ear, which blocks the vestibular system
that sends signals to the brain. Consult an expert doctor before practicing
vertigo exercises to know the right techniques and postures. If the underlying
cause of vertigo is different than BPPV, these maneuvers are not of much help.
The person suffering from BPPV vertigo will get much relief from these exercises
as it will move the calcium crystals that are causing the problem in the inner
ear. There are various exercises for dizziness that ease the pain.
Let's
have a look at some exercises for vertigo that are advised by doctors or
therapists.
1. Epley maneuver for vertigo
The Epley maneuver is one of the most popular
exercises for vertigo that are recommended by doctors to treat patients
suffering from BPPV vertigo. Proper guidance and supervision is a must while
practicing Epley maneuver as it involves movements of head and body. It is
generally recommended to practice Epley maneuver for vertigo in the presence of
another person, as you may feel dizzy just after finishing the exercise.
It can be practiced when a person is having a
left ear or right ear BPPV, just the direction is changed according to the ear.
Follow the steps for practicing Epley maneuver for vertigo:
- Sit on the
bed comfortable and straight your legs and allow the pillow to settle
behind you.
- Turn your
head at an angle of 45 degrees to your left side.
- Lie down and
place your shoulders quickly on the pillow and hold for 30 seconds.
- Turn your
head halfway at an angle of 90 degrees while lying down and hold for 30
seconds.
- Turn your
head and body to your right side and hold for 30 seconds.
- Slowly get
up from the bed and sit upright on the bed for a few minutes
If a person is suffering from vertigo due to
the right ear, revere the steps and start the same steps from the right.
Practicing an Epley maneuver three times a day at home helps in eliminating the
symptoms of vertigo. Keep on following the Epley exercise for vertigo, until
you don't experience dizziness symptoms for 24 hours.
2. Semont exercise for vertigo
Semont maneuver is another exercise that is
used in treating vertigo caused by BPPV. It takes less time when compared to
other vertigo exercises. Practicing Semont exercise for vertigo under expert
guidance will help you to adapt correct techniques and procedures.
Here
are the steps if you are suffering from the left ear BPPV. Reverse the steps
and start from the right if you are facing the right ear BPPV.
- Sit straight
on your bed comfortably and turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
- Lie down on
your left side and hold for 30 seconds.
- Quickly move
your body to the right side of the bed without changing the angle of your
head and hold for 30 seconds.
- Slowly start
returning to the sitting position and wait for a few minutes.
- Reverse these movements for the right ear.
Practice Semont maneuver 3 times a day to
relieve the symptoms of vertigo. It can treat vertigo symptoms to a greater
extent and a person starts feeling relief within a day or two.
3. Foster exercises for vertigo
Foster Maneuver even is known as Half-Somersault
is the simplest vertigo exercise that is used in treating BPPV vertigo. It can
be easily performed at home without anyone's help. It is known as one of the
easiest exercises for vertigo.
Follow
the steps if you have left ear BPPV and reverse the steps and start from the
right if you have right ear BPPV.
- Kneel down
and place your hands on the floor.
- Look at the ceiling for a few seconds and wait until the dizziness passes.
- Place your
forehead on the floor, tucking your chin so your head goes toward your
knees.
- Wait there
for 30 seconds and let any vertigo to stop.
- Turn your
head 45 degrees towards your left & hold for 30 seconds.
- Raise your
head while keeping an angle of 45 degrees and level it up with your shoulders and back. Hold the position for 30 seconds.
- Now
completely raise your head and get back to normal position and stand up
slowly.
- Practicing
Foster exercises four to five times a day will give the much-needed
relief.
- Rest for 15 minutes after completing the one set.
4. Brandt-Daroff exercise for vertigo
Brandt-Daroff exercise is used to treat BVVP
vertigo and reposition the calcium crystals that are deposited in the inner
ear. Brandt-Daroff exercise gives brilliant results and is very effective in
treating the initial stage of vertigo. Practice the Brandt-Daroff exercise
regularly for three weeks to ease the issue.
Follow these steps to try Brandt-Daroff exercises:
- Sit comfortably on your bed with your feet down on
the floor at a 90-degree angle.
- Turn your head at a 45-degree angle away from the
side causing your vertigo.
- Lie down without moving your head and hold for 30
seconds or more until vertigo eases.
- Then move back to the starting position and hold for
30 seconds.
- Repeat the same steps for the other side.
- One set of 5 repetitions should be done for each
side.
- Wait before standing and let the dizziness pass.
Practicing 3 sessions of Brandt-Daroff
exercise daily for up to 2 weeks helps in eliminating the symptoms of vertigo.
Keep following the vertigo exercise until you don't feel dizzy for at least 2
days.