Treatment Overview

The Epley and Semont maneuvers are exercises used to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). They are done with the assistance of a doctor or physical therapist. A single 10- to 15-minute session usually is all that is needed.

When your head is firmly moved into different positions, the calcium crystal (canalith) debris causing vertigo will slip out of the semicircular canal into an area of the inner ear where it will no longer cause symptoms. Two maneuvers have been used successfully: the Epley maneuver and the Semont maneuver.

The Epley maneuver is performed as follows:

You are seated, and the doctor turns your head 45 degrees horizontally toward the affected ear. You should hold the doctor's arms for support.

The doctor tilts you backward to a horizontal position with your head kept in place at a 45-degree turn, hanging. An attack of vertigo is likely as the debris moves toward the apex of the canal. You are held in this position until the vertigo stops, usually within a minute.

The doctor turns your head 90 degrees toward the unaffected ear. The doctor then rolls you onto the side of the unaffected ear, so that you are now looking at the floor. The debris should move in the canal again, possibly provoking another attack of vertigo. You should remain in this position until the vertigo stops, usually within a minute.

The doctor helps you back to a seated position.

The Semont maneuver is performed as follows:

You are seated, and the doctor turns your head so that it is halfway between looking straight ahead and looking away from the side that causes the worst vertigo.

The doctor then lowers you quickly to the side that causes the worst vertigo. When your head is on the table, you are looking up at the ceiling. The doctor holds you in this position for 30 seconds.

The doctor then quickly moves you to the other side of the table without stopping in the upright position. When your head is on the table, you are now looking down at the table. The doctor holds you in this position for 30 seconds.

The doctor then helps you sit back up.

In some cases, your doctor or physical therapist may have you do a modified Epley procedure at home. If your doctor has shown you how and you feel confident, you can try this at home to get rid of your vertigo.