04/25/2026
If I had a dollar for every time someone with dizziness has said “I found the Epley maneuver on YouTube or social media…”
Dizziness is not “one size fits all”. So, if you have dizziness, you need a comprehensive examination of your vestibular system before a treatment plan is made. The Epley maneuver is a repositioning maneuver for the diagnosis Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), in which you have otoliths (or crystals) stuck in one of the semicircular canals in your inner ear.
It MIGHT be OK for you to perform the Epley maneuver on your own if you 1) have been diagnosed with BPPV by a medical professional using the Dix Hallpike test to determine which ear is affected 2) have been thoroughly educated how to perform, how often, and when to return to office, etc. 3) you are not at risk of falling or injury due to disorientation 4) you do not have a medical diagnosis that is a contraindication to the Epley maneuver (like Carotid artery stenosis or a cervical spine disorder).
The Epley maneuver is not effective at treating all types of dizziness. Additionally, if you do not have knowledge of the laterality or prior experience with the maneuver, you may cause the crystals to “convert” or fall into another canal.
If you have episodes of vertigo, the world spinning around you, with changes in position such as getting in/out of bed, rolling in bed, bending over, or looking up - get an evaluation by an ENT or physical therapist to help diagnose your problem. Schedule now! You do not have to live this way.
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