Exercises for vertigo: Epley, Semont, Foster, and Brandt-Daroff

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:

1. Sit on the bed comfortable and straight your legs and allow the pillow to settle behind you.
2. Turn your head at an angle of 45 degrees to your left side.
3. Lie down and place your shoulders quickly on the pillow and hold for 30 seconds.
4. Turn your head halfway at an angle of 90 degrees while lying down and hold for 30 seconds.
5. Turn your head and body to your right side and hold for 30 seconds.
6. 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. 

1. Sit straight on your bed comfortably and turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
2. Lie down on your left side and hold for 30 seconds.
3. Quickly move your body to the right side of the bed without changing the angle of your head and hold for 30 seconds.
4. Slowly start returning to the sitting position and wait for a few minutes.
5. 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.

1. Kneel down and place your hands on the floor.
2. Look at the ceiling for a few seconds and wait until the dizziness passes.
3. Place your forehead on the floor, tucking your chin so your head goes toward your knees.
4. Wait there for 30 seconds and let any vertigo to stop.
5. Turn your head 45 degrees towards your left & hold for 30 seconds.
6. 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.
7. Now completely raise your head and get back to normal position and stand up slowly.
8. Practicing Foster exercises four to five times a day will give the much-needed relief.
9. 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:

1. Sit comfortably on your bed with your feet down on the floor at a 90-degree angle.
2. Turn your head at a 45-degree angle away from the side causing your vertigo.
3. Lie down without moving your head and hold for 30 seconds or more until vertigo eases.
4. Then move back to the starting position and hold for 30 seconds.
5. Repeat the same steps for the other side.
6. One set of 5 repetitions should be done for each side.
7. 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.