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Exercises for Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
Penign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), is a medical condition that can be a cause of dizziness. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo means that small calcium crystals in the inner ear’s balancing organs, the ossicles, have become loose. When you move your head, the crystals move around, affecting your balance. Treatment for crystal disease often involves specific exercises aimed at moving the loose crystals back into their proper place in the ear. This article provides a comprehensive guide to exercises that can be performed to manage and relieve the symptoms of crystal disease, with a focus on the fascia perspective, which emphasizes the role of the body’s connective tissue system in treatment.
Introduction to Exercise Therapy
Introduction to Exercise Therapy
Exercise therapy is a critical component in the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. By performing specific maneuvers, the loose crystals in the inner ear can be moved from the archways back to the vestibule, where they no longer cause dizziness. These exercises form the basis of self-treatment and can be performed at home after proper diagnosis and guidance from a healthcare professional.
The importance of correct diagnosis before treatment
Before starting any exercises, it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis from a health professional. This is to make sure that the dizziness is actually due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and not other conditions that may require different treatment. A correct diagnosis often involves performing the Dix-Hallpike test or other diagnostic tests that identify specifically which archway is affected.
Step-by-step exercises
Epley’s manoeuvre
Epley’s maneuver is perhaps the most well-known exercise for the treatment of Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and aims to address problems in the posterior arch. Here’s how it’s performed:
Identify the affected ear using the Dix-Hallpike test.
Sit on a bed and turn your head 45 degrees towards the affected ear.
Quickly lie down on your back with your head hanging slightly above the edge of the bed, holding this position for about 30 seconds.
Turn your head 90 degrees to the opposite side, wait another 30 seconds.
Scroll over to your page, in the direction of where you’re now looking, and wait another 30 seconds.
Sit up slowly.
Semont’s manoeuvre
Semont’s maneuver is another effective exercise to treat BPPV, especially for crystals in the posterior arch duct.
Start sitting on a bed and turn your head 45 degrees to the unaffected ear.
Quickly lie down on the side that your affected ear is pointing towards, wait for 30 seconds.
Quickly move to the opposite side without changing the orientation of the head, wait for 30 seconds.
Return to a seated position.
Gufoni manoeuvre
To deal with horizontal arch problems, the Gufoni maneuver is used:
Sit on a bed and lie down on your side with the affected ear facing up.
Quickly turn your head so that it is pointing downwards, about 45 degrees, and hold the position for about 2 minutes.
Sit up again.
BBQ (Barbeque) maneuver
The BBQ maneuver, or barrel roll, is intended to address problems in the horizontal archway:’
Sit on a bed and lie down on one side.
Do a series of 90-degree rotations in bed, always in the same direction, until you have made a complete turn.
Each position should be held for about 30 seconds.
Complementary exercises
Half Summersault maneuver
This maneuver is a simplified version of Epley’s manoeuvre for home use:
Kneel on the floor and look up, tilting your head back.
Put your head on the floor so that your forehead touches the floor.
Turn your head towards the affected ear, hold for 30 seconds.
Raise your head back to the kneeling position, still twisted towards the affected ear, wait 30 seconds.
Return to the upright position.
Preventive exercises to avoid relapse
Daily exercises such as balance training, yoga, and pilates can strengthen the body’s balance system and reduce the risk of future episodes of BBPV. Regular physical activity helps maintain good vestibular health and prevent relapses.
How can you get help?
If you are suffering from Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, it is important to first of all get a proper diagnosis by a qualified healthcare professional who can guide you through the specific exercises for your situation. This is crucial to ensure that you perform the exercises correctly and to avoid further complications. If you need further support or have questions about your treatment, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or a physiotherapist specialized in vestibular disorders. They can offer personalized advice and customized exercise programs to meet your unique needs and help you on the road to recovery.
