Epley Manouvre

The Epley manoeuvre is made up of a specific set of head and body movements that your specially trained therapist will take you through. It is designed to treat a certain type of vertigo called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is the most common inner ear problem and cause of vertigo. Usually the Epley Manouvre is effective within one treatment, but occasionally may need to be repeated. Only some of our Therapists have the special training to perform this techique. Be sure to give us a call or send us an email to find out which therapist you need to see to perform this effective technique and help you if you think you might have BPPV.

What causes BPPV?

There are crystals of calcium carbonate that are a normal part of our inner ear and help us with our balance and body motion. These tiny rock-like crystals are settled in the centre of the inner ear. BPPV is caused by the crystals becoming displaced from their normal place. They begin to float around and get stuck on sensors in the wrong canal of the inner ear. The dizziness you feel will continue until the crystals settle after you move. As the crystals move and settle, your brain is getting powerful, false messages telling you that you are violently spinning, when all you may have done is moved slightly.

The most common symptom of BPPV is spells of vertigo. You may experience nausea (vomiting) or a severe sense of feeling unstable or like you are losing your balance. These symptoms will be intense for seconds to minutes. You can have lasting feelings of dizziness and instability, but at a lesser level, once the episode has passed. In some people, BPPV can be brought on by a position change like sitting up, looking up, bending over or reaching.

The Epley manoeuvre benefits individuals who have been diagnosed with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). The success rate is very good if BPPV has been accurately diagnosed, but occasionally further investigation may be needed if patients are not responding as expected.