Is Doing the Epley Maneuver at Home Safe?

The Epley maneuver is an effective treatment for an inner ear disorder called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Doing the Epley maneuver at home is safe as long as you are free of certain health conditions such as back or neck problems and your healthcare provider has shown you how to do the maneuver.

Experts believe BPPV occurs when the calcium deposits that normally reside in surrounding structures of the ear make their way into the semicircular canals of the inner ear. These canals contain balance receptors, which is why the deposits cause vertigo. The Epley maneuver is a series of movements that can help dislodge these particles and move them out of the semicircular canals.

This article goes over the Epley maneuver and how to do it safely at home.

What Is the Epley Maneuver?

The Epley maneuver is a series of movements that manipulate and maintain the head in certain positions to move calcium deposits out of the semicircular canals and back into the parts of the ear where they belong. For those with BPPV, the maneuver can be very beneficial.

How to Do the Epley Maneuver

If you've never had the Epley maneuver performed on you by a healthcare provider, don't try to do it at home. No video or list of instructions can substitute for a demonstration. You need to know what it feels like to have the procedure done correctly so you know that you're doing it right at home.

After your healthcare provider has shown you how to do the Epley maneuver, they may recommend repeating it at home up to three times a day until your symptoms have been gone for at least a day. At home, the maneuver is performed as follows:

• Sit upright on your bed with a pillow behind you. The pillow should be positioned so that when you lay back, it will be under your shoulders.
• Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
• Keep your head in this position and lie back quickly with your shoulders on the pillow and your head tipped back. 
• Wait 30 seconds, then turn your head to 45 degrees to the left.
• Wait 30 seconds, then turn your head and body 90 degrees to the left so you are facing into the bed.
• Wait 30 seconds, then sit up, still facing left.
• Repeat in the opposite direction.

Tips Before Trying the Epley Maneuver at Home

It is important to follow your healthcare provider's advice before doing the Epley maneuver at home. Follow these steps to make sure you're doing the maneuver safely:

• Watch the American Academy of Neurology video multiple times before trying the procedure. It might help to break the process down into steps and write them down.
• Follow each step carefully. Missing just one step in the process may cause it to fail.
• If possible, watch the video and do the procedure with a partner. They can help you ensure you're doing the exercises correctly, in the correct order, and not missing anything.
  

Benefits of Epley Maneuver

The Epley maneuver is a very effective treatment for vertigo caused by BPPV. Up to 90% of those treated with the Epley maneuver experience complete relief after one maneuver.

Since the maneuver is safe to do at home and unlikely to cause adverse effects, most people do not have to return to their healthcare provider for additional treatments.

Risks of Epley Maneuver

The home Epley maneuver is safe for people without medical conditions that limit mobility. However, you should always see a healthcare provider before you attempt the maneuver at home. If you have back or neck problems, the maneuver could cause injury.

The home Epley maneuver may also not be safe for people with vascular conditions or retinal detachment.

Can the Epley Maneuver Make Vertigo Worse?

Some people experience a worsening of symptoms after the Epley maneuver. This can happen when the calcium deposits are diverted into a different part of the semicircular canals. When this happens in a clinical setting, your healthcare provider can do a different maneuver to help fix the problem.

This is why it's important to see your healthcare provider before you attempt to do the Epley maneuver at home.

What to Expect After Epley Maneuver

Some people experience immediate symptom relief after the Epley maneuver. Others, though, may need to perform the maneuver a few times before they start to feel better. Your symptom relief may also not be complete; some people continue to experience mild symptoms for a few weeks after completing a series of Epley maneuvers.

After your symptoms have resolved, you don't need to keep doing the Epley maneuver. However, you may want to sleep with your head more elevated than usual to prevent the condition from returning. Keep in mind that BPPV sometimes comes back, though it may be weeks or months later.

Once your symptoms have resolved, you should be able to return to all of your regular activities. 

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

If the maneuver doesn't seem to be working or your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider. You may be doing the maneuver incorrectly. It is also possible that another health condition is causing your vertigo. If the maneuver causes pain, stop and see your healthcare provider.

If your vertigo goes away and then comes back, try performing the Epley maneuver again. If it doesn't work, see your healthcare provider.

Even if the Epley maneuver works, you still need to see your healthcare provider regularly. According to most experts, BPPV usually resolves within about six months. If your condition has not resolved, see a healthcare provider to confirm that you're dealing with BPPV and that your condition has not changed or progressed.

Summary

The Epley maneuver is a series of head and body movements that can help treat vertigo caused by BPPV. People with this condition have calcium deposits in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. The maneuver dislodges the deposits, leading to an improvement in symptoms.

The Epley maneuver is generally considered safe to do at home as long as you don't have certain medical conditions including conditions of the back and neck. However, you should always see your healthcare provider first. They can make sure the condition causing your vertigo can be treated with the Epley maneuver and show you the correct way to perform it.