I receive requests asking what I think about the Epley Maneuver and why it is suggested for people with Meniere’s Disease. Anything within reason is worth trying when you have vertigo or dizziness. So here are some of my thoughts.
Do I think the Epley Maneuver works? As I haven’t needed it for myself, I have never done the exercise. So I have no idea how it feels to move your head around so actively. David has not done it either.
This is a procedure prescribed for balance symptoms, BPPV, in particular. Please realize it has NOTHING to do with any hearing issues such as tinnitus, hearing loss, or hearing fluctuation, which are also some of the main indicators or symptoms.
This is important to remember;
The Epley Maneuver is ONLY for balance issues. Some doctors recommend it for any type of dizziness and others recommend it only for occasional vertigo.
First let me explain what BPPV stands for;
- B is for “benign” a medical term meaning: “(of a disease) not harmful in effect: in particular, (of a tumor) not malignant. Having little or no detrimental effect; harmless: a benign chemical; benign indifference. b. Of no danger to health; not malignant or disease-causing: a benign tumor.
In medical usage, benign is the opposite of malignant. It describes an abnormal growth that is stable, treatable and generally not life-threatening.”
(I give you several definitions as some people do not understand the meaning of this hopeful medical term.)
- P is for “paroxysmal” meaning occasional as oppose to all the time/ continuous
- P is for positional, meaning the vertigo shows up when you hold your head in a certain position
- V is for vertigo, a symptom that shows up when the balance nerve has been “severely bothered”, either by irritation or pressure.
So all together, this Epley Maneuver is done for times (occasionally) when you have vertigo resulting from a certain head position.
The Epley Maneuver can be done at home with some practice
If you find the Epley Maneuver works for you, you now have a “tool” or something that might alleviate the symptoms in a relatively short period of time. However, you need to realize that this is not a permanent solution: it will be an “ongoing” treatment as the need arises.
From what I hear from readers, this exercise works for some, but for many it doesn’t relieve the vertigo. So why for some and not for others?
My take on this is that the vertigo has a real (physical) cause. One you could find if you know you could even look for it and that cause showed up just prior to the vertigo.
Why do I think the Epley Maneuver is being recommended?
The basic idea is to shift perceived crystals around in the inner ear. I say “perceived” because, as you well know, no one can see into the inner ear and notice crystals. It could be a deduction about crystals blocking some drainage pathway.
But don’t you ask yourself WHY this comes on only occasionally? I would.
My concern with this is that no one looks for the actual CAUSE of this occasional vertigo. Yes, it is a condition of the inner ear, where the balance nerve is located. Would it not make sense to try to figure out what went on just before you felt this way?
In addition to the Epley Maneuver, there are several other similar types of exercises, all intending to shift these perceived blocks: two are the Semont Maneuver and the Brandt Daroff exercise.
More resources are
Timothy C. Hain, MD
- Dizziness and Balance.com; Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA)
- If you would like a copy of our Meniere’s Disease Study Guide, please click here. This guide is a step by step journey exploring your symptoms and what may be causing them.
- If you would like more information on the system that David, and numerous others, have used, please click here; What Finally Worked.
- If you have any health questions or concerns, please feel free to Contact Us and we will be happy to share our knowledge and ideas with you.
Karin Henderson, Retired Nurse
(604) 463-8666 – Pacific Standard Time